\ 






n 



THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 



THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 



EDITED BY 

HENRY NOBLE MacCRACKEN, Ph.D. 

Assistant Professor of English in the Sheffield 
Scientific School of Yale University 



[The Glossary in collaboration with Thomas Goddard Wright, M.A. 
Instructor in English in Sheffield Scientific School] 




New Haven : Yale University Press 

London : Humphrey Milford 

Oxford University Press 

MCMXIII 



M3 



Copyright, 1913 

BY 

Yale University Press 



First printed, September, 1913. 2000 copies 



/. 



^C!,A357228 



PREFACE 

The College Chaucer aims to provide^ with due regard 
to the moderate size^ attractive page^ and readable print 
required in a modern textbook^ as much of Chaucer as can 
be given in a single volume. The teacher will find^ no 
doubt^ more than he will choose to read with his class in 
any one year; but he may welcome the opportunity offered 
here of varying his course from year to year without change 
of text, and the possibilities presented of full cross- 
reference and helpful ''outside'' readings. 

In this endeavor to give Chaucer in extenso, the editorial 
apparatus has been compressed within the smallest possible 
compass^ while a glossary of greater than average fullness 
supplies the place of the usual notes. The Appendix con- 
tains only such additional matter as the beginner absolutely 
needs before attempting to read Middle English. 

There is very general agreement among teachers that the 
student learns most by approaching Chaucer^ not through 
a text normalized and corrected on an editorial theory as 
to standard mediaeval spellings but directly through the 
actual forms of the early and authoritative manuscripts. 
The one danger in this plan^ of confusion in morphology 
and pronunciation^ is greatly lessened in this edition by 
etymologies given in the glossary^ which supply source- 
materials for correction of manuscript peculiarities. On the 
other hand^ the student has not been relieved of his proper 
labor^ by any device of friendly dots or italics. Footnotes 
are reserved for the indication of necessary variation from 
manuscript readings. 

The editor gratefully thanks Professor W. W. Lawrence 
of Columbia University for his proposal of the plan fol- 



VI 



PREFACE 



lowed in this volume^ and for his kindness in reading a part 
of the proof. Mr. T. G. Wright's collaboration has been 
of great assistance^ not only in the glossarial labor^ but in 
numerous suggestions elsewhere. 

New Haven^ 
May, 1913 



CONTENTS 

/ 

The Canterbury Tales. [From the EUesmere MS.] 

PAGES 

Group A 1-98 

Prologue 

The Knyghtes Tale 
Prologue to the Milleres Tale 
Prologue to the Reves Tale 
Prologue to the Cokes Tale 

Group B 99-206 

Prologue of the Man of Lawe 
The Tale of the Man of Lawe 
Prologue to the Shipmannes Tale 

End-Link 
The Prioresses Tale 

Prologue to Chaucer's Tale of Sir Thopas 
The Tale of Sir Thopas 

End-Link 
Prologue to the Monkes Tale 
The Monkes Tale 

Prologue to the Nonnes Preestes Tale 
The Nonnes Preestes Tale 

Group C 207-236 

The Phisiciens Tale 

Epilogue 
The Pardoners Prologue 
The Pardoners Tale 

Group D 237-274 

The Prologue of the Wyves Tale of Bath 
The Tale of the Wyf of Bath 
Prologue to the Freres Tale 



viii CONTENTS 

PAGES 

Group E 275-317 

Prologue to the Clerkes Tale 
The Clerkes Tale 

Lenvoy 
Prologue to the Merehantes Tale 
Epilogue 

Group F . . . ... . 318-367 

Prologue to the Squieres Tale 
The Squieres Tale 
Prologue to the Frankeleyns Tale 
The Frankeleyns Tale 

Group G 368-391 

The Second Nonnes Tale 

Prologue to the Chanouns Yemannes Tale 

Group H 392-403 

Prologue to the Maunciples Tale 
The Maunciples Tale 

Group I 404-408 

Prologue to the Persouns Tale 
Chaucer's * 'Retractation" 

Minor Poems ...... 409-567 

The Compleynt to Pite. [From MS. Bodley Fairfax 

16.] 
The Booke of the Duchesse. [From the same.] 
The Complaynt of Mars. [From the same.] 
The Parlement of Foules. [From MS. Gg. 4. 27, in the 

University Library^ Cambridge.] 
The Legend of Good Women. [A-version^ from MS. 

Gg. 4. 27; B-version^ from MS. Fairfax 16.] 
A Compleint to his Lady. [From MS. Phillips 9053.] 



CONTENTS ix 

Anelyda and Arcite. [From MS. Harley 7333.] 

The Former Age. [From MS. li. 3. 21^ in the Univ. 

Library^ Cambridge.] 
Adam Scrivener. [From MS. Trinity College R. 3. 20, 

Cambridge.] 
Fortune. [From MS. li. 3. 21, Cambridge.] 
Mereiles Beaute. [From MS. Pepys 2006, Magdalene Col- 
lege, Cambridge.] 
To Rosemounde. [From Bodley Rawlinson poetical 163.] 
Truth. [From MS. British Museum Addits. 10340.] 
Gentilesse. [From MS. Brit. Mus. Cotton Cleopatra D. 

VII.] 
Envoy to Scogan. [From MS. Univ. Camb. Gg. 4. 27.] 
Lak of Stedfastnesse. [From Bodley Hatton 73.] 
Envoy de Chaucer a Bukton. [From Bodley Fairfax 16.] 
The Compleynt of Venus. [From MS. Trin. Coll. Camb. 

R. 3. 20.] 
The Complaynt of Chaucer to his Purse. [From MS. Fair- 
fax 16.] 
Proverbs. [From B. M. Addits. I6l65.] 
Wcmmanly Noblesse. [From MS. B. M. Addits. 34360.] 
Against Women Inconstant. [From MS. Brit. Mus. Cotton 
Cleopatra D. VII.] 

PAGES 

Appendix ....... 573-602 

Glossary ....... 605-713 



«: 



i 



THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 



THE CANTERBURY TALES 

GROUP A 

PROLOGUE 
Here hygynneth the Booh of the tales of Caunterbury. 

Whan that Aprille^ with hise shoures soote^ 

The droghte of March hath perced to the roote 

And bathed every veyne in swich licour^ 

Of which vertu engendred is the flour ; 

Whan Zephirus eek with his swete breeth 5 

Inspired hath in every holt and heeth 

The tendre croppes_, and the yonge sonne 

Hath in the Ram his halfe cours yronne_, 

And smale foweles maken melodye^. 

That slepen al the nyght with open eye — ' 10 

So priketh hem Nature in hir corages — 

Thanne longen folk to goon on pilgrimages 

And palmeres for to seken straunge strondes 

To feme halwes^ kowthe in sondry londes ; 

And specially^ from every shires ende 15 

Of Engelond^ to Caunturbury they wende^ 

The hooly blisful martir for to seke 

That hem hath holpen^ whan that they were seeke. 

Bifil that in that seson^ on a day^ 
In Southwerk at the Tabard as I lay^ 20 

Redy to wenden on my pilgrymage 
To Caunterbury^ with ful devout corage^ 
At nyght were come into that hostelrye 
Wei nyne and twenty in a compaignye 
Of sondry folk, by a venture yfalle 25 

8 half. 



2 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

In felaweshipe^ and pilgrimes were they alle^ 

That toward Caunterbury wolden ryde. 

The chambres and the stables weren wyde^ 

And wel we weren esed atte beste ; 

And shortly^ whan the sonne was to reste^ 30 

So hadde I spoken with hem everychon 

That I was of hir felaweshipe anon^ 

And made forward erly for to ryse 

To take our wey^ ther as I yow devyse. 

But nathelees^ whil I have tyme and space^ 35 

Er that I ferther in this tale pace^ 
Me thynketh it aeordaunt to resoun 
To telle yow al the condicioun 
Of ech of hem^ so as it semed me^ 

And whiche they weren^ and of what degree^ 40 

And eek in what array that they were inne ; 
And at a knyght than wol I first bigynne. 

A knyght ther was^ and that a worthy man, Knyght 

That fro the tyme that he first bigan 

To'riden out, he loved chivalrie, 45 

Trouthe and honour, fredom and curteisie. 
Ful worthy was he in his lordes werre, 
And therto hadde he riden, no man ferre, 
As wel in Cristendom as in Hethenesse, 
And evere honoured for his worthynesse. 50 

At Alisaundre he was, whan it was wonne; 
Ful ofte tyme he hadde the bord bigonne 
Aboven alle nacions in Pruce; 
In Lettow hadde he reysed, and in Ruce, 
No cristen man so ofte of his degree. 55 

In Gernade at the seege eek hadde he be 
Of Algezir, and riden in Belmarye; 
At Lyeys was he, and at Satalye, 
Whan they were wonne; and in the Grete See 
At manv a noble arive hadde he be. 60 



f 



PROLOGUE TO CANTERBURY TALES 3 

At mortal batailles hadde he been fiftene^ 

And foughten for oure feith at Tramyssene 

In lystes thries^ and ay slayn his foo. 

This ilke worthy knyght hadde been also 

Somtyme with the lord of Palatye 65 

Agayn another hethen in Turkye^ 

And everemoore he hadde a sovereyn prys. 

And though that he were worthy^ he was wys^ 

And of his port as meeke as is a mayde ; 

He nevere yet no vileynye ne sayde 70 

In al his lyf unto no maner wight; 

He was a verray parfit gentil knyght. 

But for to tellen yow of his array^ 
His hors weren goode^ but he was nat gay. 
Of fustian he wered a gypoun^ 75 

Al bismotered with his habergeoun; 
For he was late ycome from his viage^ 
And wente for to doon his pilgrymage. 

With hym ther was his sone^ a yong Squier_, Squier 

A lovyere and a lusty bacheler^ 80 

With lokkes cruUe^ as they were leyd in presse. 
Of twenty yeer of age he was^ I gesse. 
Of his stature he was of evene lengthe^ 
And wonderly delyvere^ and of greet strengthe. 
And he hadde been somtyme in chyvachie 85 

In Flaundres^ in Artoys^ and Pycardie^ 
And born hym weel^ as of so litel space^ 
In hope to stonden in his lady grace. 
Embrouded was he^ as it were a meede, 

Al ful of fresshe floures whyte and reede; 90 

Syngynge he was^ or floytynge^ al the day^ 
He was as fressh as is the monthe of May. 
Short was his gowne^ with sieves longe and wyde. 
Wei koude he sitte on hors^ and f aire ryde^ 
He koude songes make^ and wel endite^ 95 

Juste^ and eek daunce^ and weel purtreye and write. 



THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 



So hoote he lovede^ that by nyghtertale 
He slepte namoore than dooth a nyghtyngale. 
Curteis he was^ lowely^ and servysable^ 
And carf biforn his fader at the table. 

A Yeman hadde he^ and servantz namo 
At that tyme^ for hym liste ride soo ; 
And he was clad in cote and hood of grene^ 
A sheef of pecok arwes bright and kene 
Under his belt he bar ful thriftily — 
Wei koude he dresse his takel yemanly^ 
Hise arwes drouped noght with fetheres lowe— 
And in his hand he baar a myghty bowe. 
A not-heed hadde he^ with a broun visage^ 
Of woodecraft wel koude he al the usage. 
Upon his arm he baar a gay bracer^ 
And by his syde a swerd and a bokeler^ 
And on that oother syde a gay daggere^ 
Harneised wel_, and sharpe as point of spere. 
A Cristophere on his brest of silver sheene^ 
An horn he bar^ the bawdryk was of grene. 
A Forster was he^ soothly^ as I gesse. 

Ther was also a Nonne_, a Prioresse^ 
That of hir smylyng was ful symple and coy. 
Hir gretteste ooth was but by Seinte Loy^ 
And she was cleped Madame Eglentyne. 
Ful weel she soong the service dyvyne^ 
Entuned in hir nose ful semely; 
And Frenssh she spak ful faire and fetisly ^^ 
After the scole of Stratford-atte-Bowe^ 
For Frenssh of Parys was to hir unknowe. 
At mete wel ytaught was she withalle ; 
She leet no morsel from hir lippes falle^ 
Ne wette hir fyngres in hir sauce depe. 
Wel koude she carie a morsel^ and wel kepe 
That no drope ne fille upon hir brist. 

120 seint. 123 semeely. 



100 

Yeman 



105 



110 



115 



Prioresse 



120 



125 



130 



PROLOGUE TO CANTERBURY TALES 5 

In curteisie was set f ul muclie hir list ; 

Hire over-lippe wyped she so clene^ 

That in hir coppe ther was no ferthyng sene 

Of grece^ whan she dronken hadde hir draughte. 135 

Ful semely after hir mete she raughte; 

And sikerly^ she was of greet desport^ 

And ful plesaunt^ and amyable of port, 

And peyned hir to countrefete cheere 

Of court, and been estatlich of manere, 140 

And to ben holden digne of reverence. 

But for to speken of hir conscience. 

She was so charitable and so pitous. 

She wolde wepe, if that she saugh a mous 

Kaught in a trappe, if it were deed or bledde. 145 

Of smale houndes hadde she, that she fedde 

With rosted flessh, or milk and wastel-breed. 

But soore weep she if oon of hem were deed. 

Or if men smoot it with a yerde smerte ; 

And al was conscience, and tendre herte. 150 

Ful semyly hir wympul pynched was. 

Hire nose tretys, hir eyen greye as glas, 

Hir mouth ful smal, and therto sof te and reed ; 

But sikerly, she hadde a fair forheed. 

It was almoost a spanne brood, I trowe, 155 

For, hardily, she was nat undergrowe. 

Ful f etys was hir cloke, as I was war ; 

Of smal coral aboute hir arm she bar 

A peire of bedes, gauded al with grene. 

And theron heng a brooch of gold ful sheene, l60 

On which ther was first write a crowned 'A,' 

And after, 'Amor vincit omnia/ 

Another Xonne with hir hadde she, Nonne & .iij. preestes 

That was hire Chapeleyne, and preestes thre. 

A Monk ther was, a fair for the maistrie. Monk l65 
An outridere, that lovede venerie, 

132 miichel. 140 and to. 148 wepte: oon any. 



6 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

A manly man^ to been an abbot able. 

Ful many a deyntee hors hadde he in stable; 

And whan he rood^ men myghte his brydel heere 

Gynglen in a whistlynge wynd als cleere^ 170 

And eek as loude^ as dooth the chapel belle, 

Ther as this lord was keper of the celle. 

The reule of Seint Maure, or of Seint Beneit, 

Bycause that it was old and somdel streit — 

This ilke Monk leet olde thynges pace, 175 

And heeld after the newe world the space. 

He yaf nat of that text a pulled hen, 

That seith that hunters beth nat hooly men, 

Ne that a monk, whan he is recchelees. 

Is likned til a fissh that is waterlees — 180 

This is to seyn, a monk out of his cloystre — 

But thilke text heeld he nat worth an oystre ! 

And I seyde his opinioun was good. 

What sholde he studie, and make hymselven wood. 

Upon a book in cloystre alwey to poure, 185 

Or swynken with his handes and laboure 

As Austyn bit? How shal the world be served? 

Lat Austyn have his swynk to him reserved; 

Therfore he was a prikasour aright, 

Grehoundes he hadde, as swift as fowel in flight; 190 

Of prikyng and of huntyng for the hare 

Was al his lust, for no cost wolde he spare. 

I seigh his sieves ypuriiled at the hond 

With grys, and that the f yneste of a lond ; 

And for to festne his hood under his chyn 195 

He hadde of gold ywroght a curious pyn ; 

A love-knotte in the gretter ende ther was. 

His heed was balled, that shoon as any glas. 

And eek his face, as it hadde been enoynt. 

He was a lord ful fat and in good poynt, 200 

Hise eyen stepe, and rollynge in his heed, 

188 his owene. 196 a ful. 



PROLOGUE TO CANTERBURY TALES 7 

That stemed as a f orneys of a leed ; 

His bootes souple^ his hors in greet estaat; 

Now certeinly he was a fair prelaat ! 

He was nat pale as a forpyned goost^ 205 

A fat sw^an loved he best of any roost. 

His palfrey was as broun as is a berye. 

A Frere ther was^ a wantowne and' a merye^ Frere 

A lymytour^ a ful solempne man^ 

In alle the ordres foure is noon that kan 210 

So muchel of daliaunce and fair langage. 
He hadde maad ful many a mariage 
Of yonge wommen at his owene cost. 
Unto his ordre he was a noble post^ 

And wel biloved and famulier was he 215 

With frankeleyns overal in his contree 
And eek with worthy wommen of the toun^ 
For he hadde power of confessioun^ 
As seyde hymself^ moore than a curat^ 

For of his ordre he was liceneiat. 220 

Ful swetely herde he confessioun^ 
And plesaunt was his absolucioun^ 
He was an esy man to yeve penaunce 
Ther as he wiste to have a good pitaunce ; 
For unto a povre ordre for to yive 225 

Is signe that a man is wel yshryve ; 
For^ if he yaf^ he dorste make avaunt^ 
He wiste that a man was repentaunt. 
For many a man so harde is of his herte^ 

He may nat wepe^ al thogh hym soore smerte; 230 

Therfore^ in stede of wepynge and preyeres^ 
Men moote yeve silver to the povre freres. 
His typet was ay farsed ful of knyves 
And pynnes^ for to yeven yonge wyves. 

And certeinly he hadde a murye note^ 235 

Wel koude he synge^ and pleyen on a rote^ 
Of yeddynges he baar outrely the pris. 



8 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

His nekke whit was as the flour delys ; 

Therto he strong was as a champioun^ 

He knew the tavernes wel in every toun 240 

And everich hostiler and tappestere 

Bet than a lazar or a beggestere. 

For unto swieh a worthy man as he 

Aeorded nat_, as by his f acultee^ 

To have with sike lazars aqueyntaunce ; 245 

It is nat honeste_, it may nat avaunce^ 

For to deelen with no swich poraille^ 

But al with riche and selleres of vitaille; 

And overall ther as profit sholde arise^ 

Curteis he was^ and lowely of servyse. 250 

Ther nas no man nowher so vertuous; 

He was the beste beggere in his hous^ 

(And yaf a certeyn ferme for the graunt 252 b 

Noon of his brethren cam ther in his haunt;) 252 c 

For thogh a wydwe hadde noght a sho^ 

So plesaunt was his 'In principio' 

Yet wolde he have a ferthyng er he wente; 255 

His purchas was wel bettre than his rente. 

And rage he koude^ as it were right a whelpe ; 

In love-dayes ther koude he muehel helpe; 

For there he was nat lyk a cloysterer^ 

With a thredbare cope^ as is a povre scoler^ 260 

But he was lyk a maister or a pope; 

Of double worstede was his semycope^ 

That rounded as a belle out of the presse. 

Somwhat he lipsed for his wantownesse 

To make his Englissh sweete upon his tonge^ 265 

And in his harpyng^ whan that he hadde songe^ 

Hise eyen twynkled in his heed aryght 

As doon the sterres in the frosty nyght. 

This worthy lymytour was cleped Huberd. 

A Marchant was ther^ with a forked berd^ Marchaunt 270 

240 every al the. Lines 252 b, c om, 259 cloystrer. 



I 



PROLOGUE TO CANTERBURY TALES 9 

In mottelee^ and hye on horse he sat^ 

Upon his heed a Flaundryssh bevere hat, 

His bootes clasped faire and fetisly. 

Hise resons he spak ful solempnely, 

Sownynge alway thencrees of his wynnyng. 275 

He wolde the see were kept for any thyng 

Bitwixe Middelburgh and Orewelle. 

Wei koude he in eschaunge sheeldes selle. 

This worthy man ful wel his wit bisette ; 

Ther wiste no wight that he was in dette, 280 

So estatly was he of his governaunce, 

With his bargaynes and with his chevyssaunce. 

Forsothe, he was a worthy man with-alle. 

But, sooth to seyn, I noot how men hym calle. 

A Clerk ther was of Oxenford also, Clerk of Oxenford 285 
That unto logyk hadde longe ygo. 
As leene was his hors as is a rake. 
And he nas nat right fat, I undertake. 
But looked holwe and therto sobrely. 

Ful thredbare was his overeste courtepy, 290 

For he hadde geten hym yet no benefice, 
Xe was so worldly for to have office. 
For hym was levere have at his beddes heed 
Twenty bookes, clad in blak or reed. 

Of Aristotle and his philosophic, 295 

Than robes riche, or fithele, or gay sautrie. 
But al be that he was a philosophre. 
Yet hadde he but litel gold in cofre; 
But al that he myghte of his freendes hente. 
On bookes and his lernynge he it spente, 300 

And bisily gan for the soules preye 
Of hem that yaf hym wherwith to scoleye. 
Of studie took he moost cure and moost heede, 
Xoght o word spak he moore than was neede. 
And that was seyd in forme and reverence, 305 

272 motlee. 287 As And. 



10 



THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 



And short and quyk^ and ful of hy sentence. 
Sownynge in moral vertu was his speche^ 
And gladly wolde he lerne^ and gladly teche. 

A Sergeant of the Lawe^ war and wys^ Sergeant of lawe 

That often hadde been at the parvys^ 310 

Ther was also^ ful riche of excellence. 
Discreet he was^ and of greet reverence, — 
He semed swich, hise wordes weren so wise. 
Justice he was ful often in assise, 

By patente, and by pleyn commissioun. 315 

For his science, and for his heigh renoun, 
Of fees and robes hadde he many oon. 
So greet a purchasour was nowher noon, 
Al was fee symple to hym in effect. 

His purchasyng myghte nat been infect. 320 

Nowher so bisy a man as he ther nas, 
And yet he semed bisier than he was; 
In termes hadde he caas and doomes alle. 
That from the tyme of Kyng William were falle. 
Therto he koude endite, and make a thyng, 32 5 

Ther koude no wight pynche at his writyng. 
And every statut koude he pleyn by rote. 
He rood but hoomly in a medlee cote 
Girt with a ceint of silk, with barres smale ; — 
Of his array telle I no lenger tale. 

A Frankeleyn was in his compaignye ; 
Whit was his berd as is a dayesye. 
Of his complexioun he was sangwyn. 
Wei loved he by the morwe a sope in wyn. 
To lyven in delit was evere his wone ; 
For he was Epicurus owene sone, » 

That heeld opinioun that pleyn delit 
Was verraily felicitee parfit. 
An housholdere, and that a greet, was he ; 
Seint Julian was he in his contree. . 340 



330 

Frankeleyn 



SS5 



324 yfalle. 326 pynchen. 332 berd heed. 338 verray. 



PROLOGUE TO CANTERBURY TALES 



11 



His breed_, his ale^ was alweys after oon, 
A bettre envyned man was nowher noon. 
Withoute bake mete was nevere his hous^ 
Of fissh and flessh^ and that so plentevous^ 
• It snewed in his hous of mete and drynke^ 
Of alle deyntees that men koude thynke. 
After the sondry sesons of the yeer 
So chaunged he his mete and his soper. 
Ful many a fat partrich hadde he in muwe^ 
And many a breem and many a luce in stuwe. 
Wo was his cook^ but if his sauce were 
Poynaunt^ and sharp_, and redy al his geere. 
His table dormant in his halle alway 
Stood redy covered al the longe day. 
At sessiouns ther was he lord and sire; 
Ful ofte tyme he was knyght of the shire. 
An anlaas and a gipser al of silk 
Heeng at his girdel^ whit as morne milk. 
A shirreve hadde he been^ and a countour^ 
Was nowher swich a worthy vavasour. 
An Haberdasshere and a Carpenter, 
A Webbe, a Dyere, and a Tapycer — 
And they were clothed alle in o lyveree 
Of a solempne and a greet fraternitee. 
Ful fressh and newe hir geere apiked was, 
Hir knyves were chaped noght with bras, 
But al with silver wroght ful clene and weel, 
Hir girdles and hir pouches everydeel. 
Wei semed ech of hem a fair burgeys 
To sitten in a yeldehalle on a deys. 
Everich for the wisdf)m that he kan 
Was shaply for to been an alderman; 
For catel hadde they ynogh, and rente, 
And eek hir wyves wolde it wel assente — 
And elles. certevn. were thev to blame! 



345 



350 



355 



Haberdasshere 

Carpenter 

Webbe 

Dyere 

Tapicer 



365 



370 



375 



342 nowher nevere. 



12 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

It is ful fair to been ycleped 'ma Dame^' 
And goon to vigilies al bifore^ 
And have a mantel roialliche ybore. 

A Cook they hadde with hem for the nones^ Cook 

To boille the chiknes with the marybones^ 380 

And poudre-marchant tart^ and galyngale. 
Wei koude he knowe a draughte of London ale; 
He koude rooste^ and sethe^ and.broille^ and frye^ 
Maken mortreux^ and wel bake a pye. 

But greet harm was it^ as it thoughte me^ 385 

That on his shyne a mormal hadde he ! 
For blankmanger_, that made he with the beste. 

A Shipman was ther^ wonynge f er by weste ; Shipman 

For aught I woot^ he was of Dertemouthe. 
He rood upon a rouncy^ as he kouthe^ 390 

In a gowne of faldyng to the knee. 
A daggere hangynge on a laas hadde he 
Aboute his nekke^ under his arm adoun. 
The hoote somer hadde maad his hewe al broun. 
And eerteinly he was a good felawe. 395 

Ful many a draughte of wyn had he ydrawe 
Fro Burdeuxward^ whil that the chapman sleep. 
Of nyce conscience took he no keep; 
If that he faught^ and hadde the hyer hond^ 
By water he sente hem hoom to every lond. 400 

But of his crafty to rekene wel his tydes^ 
His stremes^ and his daungers hym bisides^ 
His herberwe and his moone^ his lodemenage^ 
Ther nas noon swich from HuUe to Cartage. 
Hardy he was_, and wys to undertake^ 405 

With many a tempest hadde his herd been shake ; 
He knew alle the havenes as they were 
From Gootlond to the Cape of Fynystere^ 
And every cryke in Britaigne and in Spayne. 
His barge ycleped was the Maudelayne. 410 

383 boille. 396 drawe. 



PROLOGUE TO CANTERBURY TALES 13 

With us ther was a Doctour of Phisik ; Doctour of Phisik 

In al this world ne was ther noon hym lik^ 
To speke of phisik and of surgerye; 
For he was grounded in astronomye. 

He kepte his pacient a ful greet deel 415 

In houres^ by his magyk natureel. 
Wei koude he fortunen the ascendent 
Of hise ymages for his pacient. 
He knew the cause of everich maladye^ 

Were it of hoot or coold^ or moyste^ or drye^ 420 

And where they engendred^ and of what humour. 
He was a verray pariit praktisour; 
The cause yknowe^ and of his harm the roote^ 
Anon he yaf the sike man his boote. 

Ful redy hadde he hise apothecaries 425 

To sende him drogges and his letuaries^ 
For ech of hem made oother for to wynne^ 
Hir f rendshipe nas nat newe to bigynne.^ 
Wei knew he the olde Esculapius^ , 

And Deyscorides and eek Rufus^ 430 

Olde Ypocras^ Haly^ and Galyen^ 
Serapioun_, Razis^ and Avycen^ 
Averrois^ Damascien^ and Constantyn^ 
Bernard^ and Gates den_, and Gilbertyn. 

Of his diete mesurable was he_, 435 

For it v/as of no superfluitee^ 
But of greet norissyng^ and digestible. 
His studie was but lit el on the Bible. 
In sangwyn and in pers he clad was al^ 

Lyned with taffata and with sendal — 440 

And yet he was but esy of dispence; 
He kepte that he wan in pestilence. 
For gold in phisik is a cordial^ 
Therfore he lovede gold in special. 

A good wif was ther, of biside Bathe, Bafhl''^'^^ ^^'^^ ""^ 445 

430 Risus. 



14 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

But she was som-del deef^ and that was scathe. 

Of clooth-makyng she hadde swich an haunt^ 

She passed hem of Ypres and of Gaunt. 

In al the parisshe wif ne was ther noon 

That to the offrynge bifore hir sholde goon; 450 

And if ther dide^ certeyn^ so wrooth was she^ 

That she was out of alle charitee. 

Hir coverchief s ful fyne weren of ground^ 

I dorste swere they weyeden ten pound 

That on a Sonday weren upon hir heed. 455 

Hir hosen weren of fyn scarlet reed^ 

Ful streite yteyd^ and shoes ful moyste and newe. 

Boold was hir face_, and fair_, and reed of hewe. 

She was a worthy womman al hir lyve_, 

Houshondes at chirche-dore she hadde fyve 460 

Withouten oother compaignye in youthe — 

But therof nedeth nat to speke as nowthe. 

And thries hadde she been at Jerusalem^ 

She hadde passed many a straunge strem^ 

At Rome she hadde been^ and at Boloigne^ 465 

In Galice at Seint Jame^ and at Coloigne, 

She koude muche of wandrynge by the weye. 

Gat-tothed was she^ soothly for to seye. 

Upon an ambler e esily she sat^ 

Ywympled wel^ and on hir heed an hat 470 

As brood as is a bokeler or a targe^ 

A foot-mantel aboute hir hipes large^ 

And on hire feet a paire of spores sharpe. 

In f elaweship wel koude she laughe and carpe ; 

Of remedies of love she knew per-chaunce^ 475 

For she koude of that art the olde daunce. 

A good man was ther of religioun^ 
And was a povre Persoun of a toun^ Persoun of a toun 

But riche he was of hooly thoght and werk. 
He was also a lerned man^ a clerk 480 

That Cristes gospel trewely wolde preche. 



PROLOGUE TO CANTERBURY TALES 15 

Hise parisshens devoutly wolde he teche, 

Benygne he was^ and wonder diligent^ 

And in adversitee ful pacient_, 

And swich he was ypreved ofte sithes. 485 

Ful looth were hym to cursen for hise tithes_, 

But rather wolde he yeven^ out of doute^ 

Unto his povre parisshens aboute 

Of his oiFryng and eek of his substaunce ; 

He koude in litel thyng have suffisaunce. 490 

Wyd was his parisshe^ and houses fer asonder^ 

But he ne lafte nat^ for reyn ne thonder^ 

In siknesse nor in meschief^ to visite 

The f erreste in his parisshe^ muche and lite^ 

Upon his feet^ and in his hand a staf. 495 

This noble ensample to his sheep he yaf 

That firste he wroghte^ and afterward he taughte — 

Out of the Gospel he tho wordes caughte; 

And this figure he added eek therto^ 

That if gold ruste^ what shal iren do? 500 

For if a preest be foul^ on whom we truste^ 

Xo wonder is a lewed man to ruste^ 

And shame it is^ if a prest take keep^ 

A shiten shepherde and a clene sheep ! 

Wei oghte a preest ensample for to yeve 505 

By his clennesse how that his sheep sholde lyve. 

He sette nat his benefice to hyre^ 

And leet his sheep encombred in the myre^ 

And ran to London_, unto Seinte Poules^ 

To seken hym a chauntery for soules^ 510 

Or with a bretherhed to been withholde^ 

But dwelte at hoom^ and kepte wel his folde^ 

So that the wolf ne made it nat myscarie. 

He was a shepherde^ and noght a mercenarie ; 

x\nd though he hooly were and vertuous^ 515 

485 preved. 497 that he. 509 seint. 510 chauntrie. 512 dwelleth; 
kepeth. 



16 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

He was to synful man nat despitous^ 

Ne of his speche daungerous ne digne^ 

But in his techyng discreet and benygne ; 

To drawen folk to hevene by fairnesse^ 

By good ensample^ this was his bisynesse. 520 

But it were any persone obstinate 

What so he were^ of heigh or lough estat, 

Hym wolde he snybben sharply -for the nonys. 

A bettre preest^ I trowe^ that nowher noon ys. 

He waited after no pompe and reverence^ 525 

Ne maked him a spiced conscience^ 

But Cristes loore^ and Hise apostles twelve 

He taughte^ but first he folwed it hym-selve. 

With hym ther was a Plowman^ was his brother, Plowman 
That hadde ylad of dong ful many a f other. 530 

A trewe swynker and a good was he, 
Lyvynge in pees and parfit charitee. 
God loved he best with al his hoole herte 
At alle tymes, thogh him gamed or smerte. 
And thanne his neigh ebore right as hym-selve, 535 

He wolde thresshe, and therto dyke and delve. 
For Cristes sake, for every povre wight 
Withouten hire, if it lay in his myght. 
Hise tithes payed he ful faire and wel, 

Bothe of his propre swynk and his catel. 540 

In a tabard he rood, upon a mere. 

Ther was also a Reve and a Millere, Miiiere 

A Somnour and a Pardoner also, 
A Maunciple, and myself, ther were namo. 
The Millere was a stout carl for the nones, 54f5 

Ful byg he was of brawn and eek of bones — 
That proved wel, for overal ther he cam 
At wrastlyng he wolde have alwey the ram. 
He was short-sholdred, brood, a thikke knarre, 
Ther was no dore that he nolde heve of harre, 550 

516 nat to synful. 525 waiteth. 534 he. 539 payde. 550 ne wolde. 



I 



PROLOGUE TO CANTERBURY TALES 17 

Or breke it at a rennyng with his heed. 

His herd as any sowe or fox was reed^ 

And therto broody as though it were a spade. 

Upon the cop right of his nose he hade 

A werte^ and thereon stood a toft of heres 555 

Reed as the brustles of a sowes eres ; 

Hise nosethirles blake were and wyde. 

A swerd and bokeler bar he by his syde. 

His mouth as greet was as a greet forneys^ 

He was a janglere and a goliardeys^ 560 

And that was moost of synne and harlotries. 

Wei koude he stelen corn^ and tollen thries^ 

And yet he hadde a thombe of gold^ pardee. 

A whit cote and a blew hood wered he. 

A baggepipe wel koude he blowe and sowne^ 565 

And therwithal he broghte us out of towne. 

A gentil ]\Iaunciple was ther of a temple^ Maunciple 

Of which achatours myghte take exemj)le 
For to be wise in byynge of vitaille ; 

For wheither that he payde or took by taille^ 570 

Algate he wayted so in his achaat 
That he was ay biforn^ and in good staat. 
Now is nat that of God a ful fair grace^ 
That swich a lewed mannes wit shal pace 
The wisdom of an heep of lerned men.^ 575 

Of maistres hadde he mo than thries ten^ 
That weren of lawe expert and curious^ 
Of whiche ther weren a duszeyne in that hous 
Worthy to been stywardes of rente and lond 
Of any lord that is in Engelond^ 580 

To maken hym lyve by his propre good^ 
In honour dettelees^ but if he were wood; 
Or lyve as scarsly as hym list desire^ 
And able for to helpen al a shire 
In any caas that myghte falle or happe — 585 

558 and a. 



18 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

And yet this manciple sette hir aller cappe ! 

The Reve was a selendre colerik man; Reve 

His herd was shave as ny as ever he kan_, 
His heer was by his erys ful round yshorn, 
His top was dokked lyk a preest biforn. 590 

Ful longe were his legges^ and ful lene^ 
Ylyk a staf^ ther was no calf ysene. 
Wei koude he kepe a gerner and a bynne^ 
Ther was noon auditour koude on him wynne. 
Wei wiste he^ by the droghte^ and by the reyn^ 595 

The yeldynge of his seed and of his greyn. 
His lordes sheep^ his neet^ his dayerye^ 
His swyn^ his hors^ his stoor^ and his pultrye^ 
Was hooly in this reves governyng 

And by his covenant yaf the rekenyng^ 600 

Syn that his lord was twenty yeer of age ; 
Ther koude no man brynge hym in arrerage. 
Ther nas baillif^ ne hierde_, nor oother hyne^ 
That he ne knew his sleighte and his covyne^ 
They were adrad of hym as of the deeth. 605 

His wonyng was ful faire upon an heeth^ 
With grene trees shadwed was his place. 
He koude bettre than his lord purchace. 
Ful riche he was astored pryvely; 

His lord wel koude he pies en subtilly 6lO 

To yeve and lene hym of his owene good^ 
And have a thank^ and yet a cote and hood. 
In youthe he hadde lerned a good myster^ 
He was a wel good wrighte^ a carpenter. 
This reve sat upon a ful good stot^ 6l5 

That was al pomely grey^ and highte Scot. 
A long surcote of pers upon he hade^ 
And by his syde he baar a rusty blade. 
Of Northfolk was this reve^ of which I telle, 
Bisyde a toun men clepen Baldeswelle. 620 

590 doked. 594 on of. 604 ne om. 612 cote gowne. 



I 



PROLOGUE TO CANTERBURY TALES 19 

Tukked he was^ as is a frere^ aboute, 

And evere he rood the hyndreste of oure route. 

A Somonour was ther with us in that place^ Somonour 

That hadde a fyr-reed cherubynnes face^ 
For saweefleem he was^ with eyen narwe. 625 

As hoot he was^ and lecherous^ as a sparwe^ 
With scalled browes blake^ and piled berd_, 
Of his visage children were aferd. 
Ther nas quyk-silver^ lytarge_, ne brymstoon^ 
Boras^ ceruce^ ne oille of tartre noon^ 630 

Ne oynement^ that wolde dense and byte^ 
That hym myghte helpen of his whelkes white^ 
Nor of the knobbes sittynge on his chekes. 
Wei loved he garleek^ oynons^ and eek lekes^ 
And for to drynken strong wyn^ reed as blood; 6S5 

Thanne wolde he speke and erie as he were wood. 
And whan that he wel dronken hadde the wyn^ 
Than wolde he speke no word but Latyn. 
A fewe termes hadde he^ two or thr^^ 

That he had lerned out of som decree — 640 

No wonder is^ he herde it al the day^ 
And eek ye knowen wel how that a jay 
Kan clepen Vatte' as wel as kan the Pope. 
But who so koude in oother thyng hym grope_, 
Thanne hadde he spent al his philosophic; 64^5 

Ay 'questio quid juris' wolde he crie. 
He was a gentil harlot and a kynde_, 
A bettre felawe sholde men noght fynde; 
He wolde suffre_, for a quart of wyn^ 

A good felawe to have his concubyn 650 

A twelf-monthe^ and excuse hym atte fuUe — 
Ful prively a fynch eek koude he puUe. 
And if he f oond owher a good f elawe_, 
He wolde techen him to have noon awe_, 
In swich caas^ of the erchedekenes curs^ 655 

627 scaled. 632 his the. 



20 



THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 



665 



Pardoner 

670 



But if a mannes soule were in his purs ; 
For in his purs he sholde ypunysshed be^ 
*Purs is the erehedekenes helle^' seyde he. 
But wel I woot he lyed right in dede ; 

Of cursyng oghte ech gilty man him drede — 660 

For curs wol slee_, right as assoillyng savith — 
And also war him of a Significavit. 
In daunger hadde he at his owene gise 
The yonge girles of the diocise^ 
And knew hir conseil_, and was al hir reed. 
A gerland hadde he set upon his heed 
As greet as it were for an ale-stake; 
A bokeleer hadde he maad him of a cake. 
With hym ther rood a gentil Pardoner 
Of Rouncivale^ his freend and his compeer^ 
That streight was comen fro the court of Rome. 
Ful loude he soong 'com hider^ love^ to me.' 
This Somonour bar to hym a stif burdoun^ 
Was nevere trompe of half so greet a soun. 
This Pardoner hadde heer as yelow as wex^ 675 

But smothe it heeng as dooth a strike of flex; 
By ounces henge hise lokkes that he hadde^ 
And therwith he hise shuldres overspradde ; 
But thynne it lay by colpons oon and oon. 
But hood^ for jolitee^ wered he noon^ 680 

For it was trussed up in his walet. 
Hym thoughte he rood al of the newe jet^ 
Dischevele^ save his cappe^ he rood al bare. 
Swiche glarynge eyen hadde he as an hare. 
A vernycle hadde he sowed upon his cappe. 685 

His walet lay biforn hym in his lappe 
Bret-ful of pardoun come from Rome al hoot. 
A voys he hadde as smal as hath a goot. 
No herd hadde he^ ne nevere sholde have^ 
As smothe it was as it were late shave^ ' 690 

660 him om. 669 rood was. 683 dischevelee. 686 lay om. 



PROLOGUE TO CANTERBURY TALES 21 

I trowe he were a geldyng or a mare. 

But of his craft_, fro Berwyk into Ware^ 

Ne was ther swich another Pardoner; 

For in his male he hadde a pilwe-beer^ 

Which that he seyde was Oure Lady veyl ; 695 

He seyde^ he hadde a gobet of the seyl 

That Seinte Peter hadde^ whan that he wente 

Upon the see^ til Jesu Crist hym hente. 

He hadde a croys of latoun^ ful of stones^ 

And in a glas he hadde pigges bones; 700 

But with thise relikes whan that he fond 

A povre persoun dwellyng up-on-lond^ 

Upon a day he gat hym moore moneye 

Than that the person gat in monthes tweye^ 

And thus with feyned flaterye and japes 705 

He made the persoun and the peple his apes. 

But trewely to tellen atte laste^ 

He was in chirche a noble ecclesiaste; 

Wei koude he rede a lessoun or a storie^ 

But alderbest he song an offertorie^ 710 

For wel he wiste^ whan that song was songe 

He moste preche^ and wel affile his tonge; 

To Wynne silver^ as he ful wel koude^ 

Therfore he song the murierly and loude. 

Now have I toold you shortly in a clause 715 

Thestaat^ tharray^ the nombre^ and eek the cause 
Why that assembled was this compaignye 
In Southwerk^ at this gentil hostelrye^ 
That highte the Tabard, faste by the Belle. 
But now is tyme to yow for to telle 720 

How that we baren us that ilke nyght 
Whan we were in that hostelrie alyght. 
And after wol I telle of our viage, 
And al the remenaunt of oure pilgrimage. 
But first I pray yow, of youre curteisye, 725 

697 seint. 718 at as. 



22 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

That ye narette it nat my vileynye^ 

Thogh that I pleynly speke in this mateere 

To telle yow hir wordes and hir cheere^ 

Ne thogh I speke hir wordes proprely. 

For this ye knowen also wel as I, 730 

Who-so shal telle a tale after a man^ 

He moot reherce as ny as evere he kan 

Everich a word_, if it be in his charge_, 

Al speke he never so rudeliche or large ; 

Or ellis he moot telle his tale untrewe^ 735 

Or feyne thyng^ or fynde wordes newe. 

He may nat spare^ al thogh he were his brother^ 

He moot as wel seye o word as another. 

Crist spak hym-self ful brode in Hooly Writ^ 

And^ wel ye woot^ no vileynye is it. 740 

Eek Plato seith^ who so kan hym rede^ 

The wordes moote be cosyn to, the dede. 

Also I prey yow to foryeve it me^ 

Al have I nat set folk in hir degree 

Heere in this tale^ as that they sholde stonde — 745 

My wit is shorty ye may wel understonde. 

Greet chiere made oure boost us everichon^ 

And to the soper sette he us anon. 

He served us with vitaille at the beste ; 

Strong was the wyn^ and wel to drynke us leste. 750 

A semely man oure Hooste was withalle 

For to been a marchal in an halle. 

A large man he was^ with eyen stepe^ 

A fairer burgeys was ther noon in Chepe; 

Boold of his speche^ and wys^ and well ytaught^ 755 

And of manhod hym lakkede right naught. 

Eek therto he was right a myrie man; 

And after soper pleyen he bigan^ 

And spak of myrthe amonges othere thynges^ 

Whan that we hadde maad our rekenynges^ 760 

749 He And. 751 boost. 756 lakked. 



i 



PROLOGUE TO CANTERBURY TALES 23 

And seyde thus: "Now lordynges^ trewely, 

Ye been to me right welcome hertely^ 

For by my trouthe^ if that I shal nat lye^ 

I saugh nat this yeer so myrie a compaignye 

Atones in this herberwe_, as is now. 765 

Fayn wolde I doon yow myrthe_, wiste I how — 

And of a myrthe I am right now bythoght 

To doon yow ese^ and it shal coste noght. 

Ye goon to Caunterbury^ God yow speede — 

The blisful martir quite yow youre meede — 770 

And wel I woot^ as ye goon by the weye^ 

Ye shapen yow to tsilen and to pleye^ 

For trewely^ confort ne myrthe is noon 

To ride by the weye doumb as stoon^ 

And therfore wol I maken yow disport^ 775 

As I seyde erst^ and doon yow som confort; 

And if yow liketh alle by oon assent 

For to stonden at my juggement_, 

And for to werken as I shal yow seye^ 

To-morwe^ whan ye riden by the weye, * 780 

Now_, by my fader soule that is deed, 

But ye be myrie I wol yeve yow myn heed ! 

Hoold up youre hond, withouten moore speche." 

Oure conseil was nat longe for to seche — 

Us thoughte it was noght worth to make it wys — 785 

And graunted hym, withouten moore avys, 

And bad him seye his voirdit, as hym leste. 

"Lordynges/' quod he, "now herkneth for the beste, 

But taak it nought, I prey yow, in desdeyn. 

This is the poynt, to speken short and pleyn, 790 

That ech of yow, to shorte with oure weye. 

In this viage shal telle tales tweye. 

To Caunterburyward I mene it so. 

And homward he shal tellen othere two. 

Of aventures that whilom han bifalle. 795 

774 as the. 782 But if. 



24 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

And which of yow that bereth hym best of alle — 

That is to seyn^ that telleth in this caas 

Tales of best sentence and moost solaas — 

Shal have a soper at oure aller cost^ 

Heere in this place^ sittynge by this post^ 800 

Whan that we come agayn fro Caunterbury. 

And for to make yow the moore mury 

I wol my-selven goodly with yow ryde 

Right at myn owene cost^ and be youre gyde. 

And who so wole my juggement withseye 805 

Shal paye al that we spenden by the weye. 

And if ye vouchesauf that it be so^ 

Tel me anon^ withouten wordes mo^ 

And I wol erly shape me therfore/' 

This thyng was graunted^ and oure othes swore 810 

With ful glad herte^ and preyden hym also 

That he wolde vouchesauf for to do so^ 

And that he wolde been oure governour^ 

And of our tales juge and reportour^ 

And sette a soper at a certeyn pris^ 815 

And we wol reuled been at his devys 

In heigh and lough; and thus by oon assent 

We been acorded to his juggement; 

And therupon the wyn was fet anon^ 

We dronken^ and to reste wente echon 820 

Withouten any lenger taryynge. 

Amorwe^ whan that day bigan to sprynge^ 
Up roos oure Hoost^ and was oure aller cok^ 
And gadrede us togidre^ alle in a flok^ 

And forth we riden^ a litel moore than paas^ 825 

Unto the wateryng of Seint Thomas. 
And there oure Hoost bigan his hors areste^ 
And seyde^ **Lordynges^ herkneth if yow leste^ 
Ye woot youre foreward^ and I it yow recorde; 
If even-song and morwe-song accorde^ 830 

822 g-an. 829 I om. 



I 



PROLOGUE TO CANTERBURY TALES 25 

Lat se now who shal telle the firste tale. 

As evere mote I drynke wyn or ale^ 

Whoso be rebel to my juggement 

Shal paye for al that by the wey is spent. 

Now draweth cut^ er that we ferrer twynne^ 835 

He which that hath the shorteste shal bigynne. 

Sire knyght/' quod he^ "niy mayster and my lord^ 

Now draweth cut^ for that is myn accord^ 

Cometh neer_,'' quod he^ ''niy lady Prioresse^ 

And jCy Sir Clerk^ lat be your shamefastnesse^ 840 

Ne studieth noght; ley bond to^ every man.'' 

Anon to drawen every wight bigan^ 

And shortly for to tellen as it was^ 

Were it by aventure^ or sort_, or cas^ 

The sothe is this^ the cut fil to the knyght^ 845 

Of which ful blithe and glad was every wyght. 

And telle he moste his tale^ as was resoun^ 

By foreward and by composicioun_,^ — 

As ye han herd^ what nedeth wordes mo? 

And whan this goode man saugh that it was so^ 850 

As he that wys was and obedient 

To kepe his foreward by his free assent^ 

He seyde^ "Syn I shal bigynne the game^ 

W^hat^ welcome be the cut^ a Goddes name ! 

Now lat us ryde^ and herkneth what I seye.'' 855 

And with that word we ryden forth oure weye^ 
And he bigan with right a myrie cheere 
His tale anon^ and seyde in this manere. 

850 An. 



THE KNYGHTES TALE. 



lamque domos patrlas Scithice post aspera gentis prelia 
laurigero ^c, Thebaid, xii, 519. 

Heere higynneth the knyghtes tale. 

Whilom^ as olde stories tellen us^ 
Ther was a due that highte Theseus ; 860 

Of Atthenes he was lord and governour^ 
And in his tyme swich a conquerour^ 
That gretter was ther noon under the sonne. 
Ful many a riehe contree hadde he wonne^ 
What with his wysdom and his chivalrie; S6b 

He conquered al the regne of Femenye^ 
That whilom was yeleped Scithia_, 
And weddede the queene Ypolita^ 
And broghte hir hoom with hym in his contree^ 
With muchel glorie and greet solempnytee, 870 

And eek hir yonge suster Emelye. 
And thus with victorie and with melodye 
Lete I this noble duk to Atthenes ryde^ 
And al his hoost^ in armes hym bisyde. 

And certes^ if it nere to long to heere^ 875 

I wolde have toold yow fully the manere 
How wonnen was the regne of Femenye 
By Theseus^ and by his chivalrye^ 
And of the grete bataille for the nones 

Bitwixen Atthenes and Amazones^ 880 

And how asseged was Ypolita 
The faire hardy queene of Scithia^ 
And of the feste that was at hir weddynge^ 
And of the tempest at hir hoom-comynge ; 
But al that thyng I moot as now forbere^ 885 

868 wedded. 871 yonge faire. 876 yow have told. 



II 



THE KNYGHTES TALE 27 

I have^ God woot^ a large f eeld to ere^ 
And wayke been the ooxen in my plough, 
The remenant of the tale is long ynough. 
I wol nat letten eek noon of this route, 

Lat every felawe telle his tale aboute, 890 

And lat se now who shal the soper wynne ; — 
And ther I lefte, I wol ayeyn bigynne. 
This due of whom I make mencioun, 
Whan he was come almoost unto the toun, 
In al his wele and in his mooste pride, 895 

He was war, as he caste his eye aside. 
Where that ther kneled in the hye weye 
A compaignye of ladyes, tweye and tweye, 
Ech after oother, clad in clothes blake; 

But swich a cry and swich a wo they make, 900 

That in this world nys creature lyvynge 
That herde swich another waymentynge ! 
And of this cry they nolde nevere stenten. 
Til they the reynes of his brydel henten. 
''What folk been ye, that at myn hom-comynge 905 

Perturben so my feste with criynge?'* 
Quod Theseus, "have ye so greet envye 
Of myn honour, that thus compleyne and crye? 
Or who hath yow mysboden or offended ? 
And telleth me if it may been amended, 910 

And why that ye been clothed thus in blak?'' 
The eldeste lady of hem alle spak — 
Whan she hadde swowned with a deedly cheere. 
That it was routhe for to seen and heere- — 
And seyde, "Lord to whom Fortune hath yeven 915 

Victorie, and as a conqueror to lyven, 
Nat greveth us youre glorie and youre honour. 
But we biseken mercy and socour. 
Have mercy on oure wo and oure distresse, 
Som drope of pitee thurgh thy gentillesse 920 

897 hye om. 



28 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Upon us wrecched wommen lat thou falle; 

For certes_, lord^ ther is noon of us alle 

That she ne hath been a duchesse or a queene. 

Now be we caytyves^ as it is wel seene — 

Thanked be Fortune^ and hir false wheels 925 

That noon estat assureth to be weel. 

And certes^ lord_, to abyden youre presence^ 

Heere in the temple of the goddesse Clemence 

We han ben waitynge al this fourtenyght; 

Now help us^ lord^ sith it is in thy myght ! 930 

I wrecche^ which that wepe and waille thus^ 

Was whilom wyf to kyng Cappaneus^ 

That starf at Thebes^ cursed be that day ! 

And alle we that been in this array 

And maken al this lamentacioun^ 935 

We losten alle oure housbondes at that toun^ 

Whil that the seege theraboute lay. 

And yet now the olde Creon^ weylaway! 

That lord is now of Thebes the Citee^ 

Fulfild of ire and of iniquitee^ 9^0 

He^ for despit and for his tirannye^ 

To do the dede bodyes vileynye^ 

Of alle oure lordes^ whiche that been slawe^ 

He hath alle the bodyes on an heep ydrawe^ 

And wol nat sufFren hem^ by noon assent^ 94<5 

Neither to been yburyed nor ybrent^ 

But maketh houndes ete hem in despit." 

And with that word^ withouten moore respite 

They iillen gruf^ and criden pitously^ 

**Have on us wrecched wommen som mercy 950 

And lat oure sorwe synken in thyn herte." 

This gentil duk doun from his courser sterte 
With herte pitous^ whan he herde hem speke ; 
Hym thoughte that his herte wolde breke^ 
Whan he saugh hem so pitous and so maat^ 955 

931 li'aille crie. 



THE KNYGHTES TALE 29 

That whilom weren of so greet estaat. 

And in his armes he hem alle up hente^ 

And hem conforteth in ful good entente_, 

And swoor his ooth^ as he was trewe knyght^ 

He wolde doon so ferforthly his myght 960 

Upon the tiraunt Creon hem to wreke^ 

That all the peple of Grece sholde speke 

How Creon was of Theseus yserved^ 

As he that hadde his deeth ful wel deserved. 

And right anoon^ withouten moore abood^ 965 

His baner he desplayeth^ and forth rood 

To Thebesward^ and al his boost biside^ 

No neer Atthenes wolde he go ne ride^ 

Ne take his ese fully half a day^ 

But onward on his wey that nyght he lay — 970 

And sente anon Ypolita the queene^ 

And Emelye^ hir yonge suster sheene^ 

tTnto the toun of Atthenes to dwelle — 

And forth he rit ; ther is namoore to telle. 

The rede statue of Mars^ with spere and targe^ 975 

So shyneth^ in his white baner large^ 

That alle the f eeldes gliteren up and doun^ 

And by his baner born is his penoun 

Of gold ful riche^ in which ther was ybete 

The Mynotaur which that he slough in Crete. 980 

Thus rit this duc^ thus rit this conquerour^ 

And in his boost of chivalrie the flour^ 

Til that he cam to Thebes^ and alighte ^ 

Faire in a feeld^ ther as he thoughte fighte. 

But shortly for to speken of this thyng^ 985 

With Creon^ which that was of Thebes kyng^ 

He faught^ and slough hym manly as a knyght 

In pleyn bataille^ and putte the folk to flyght^ 

And by assaut he wan the citee after^ 

And rente adoun bothe wall^ and sparre^ and rafter. 990 

And to the ladyes he restored agayn 



30 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

The bones of hir housbondes that weren slayn^ 

To doon obsequies as was tho the gyse. 

But it were al to longe for to devyse 

The grete clamour and the waymentynge 995 

That the ladyes made at the brennynge 

Of the bodies^ and the grete honour 

That Theseus, the noble conquerour, 

Dooth to the ladyes, whan they from hym wente; • 

But shortly for to telle is myn entente. 1000 

Whan that this worthy due, this Theseus, 
Hath Creon slayn, and wonne Thebes thus, 
Stille in that feeld he took al nyght his reste 
And dide with al the contree as hym leste. 
To ransake in the.taas of bodyes dede, 1005 

Hem for to strepe of barneys and of wede. 
The pilours diden bisynesse and cure, 
After the bataille and disconfiture ; 
And so bifel, that in the taas they founde 
Thurgh-girt with many a grevous blody wounde, 1010 

Two yonge knyghtes liggynge by and by, 
Bothe in oon armes wroght ful richely. 
Of whiche two Arcita highte that oon, 
And that oother knyght highte Palamon. 
Nat fully quyke, ne fully dede they were, 1015 

But by here cote-armures, and by hir gere, 
The heraudes knewe hem best, in special. 
As they that weren of the blood roial 
Of Thebes, and of sustren two yborn. 

Out of the taas the pilours han hem torn, 1020 

And han hem caried sof te unto the tente 
Of Theseus, and he ful soone hem sente 
To Atthenes to dwellen in prisoun 
Perpetuelly, he nolde no raunsoun. 

And whan this worthy due hath thus ydon, 1025 

He took his boost, and hoom he rood anon, 

1005 of the. 1022 he hem. 



THE KNYGHTES TALE 31 

With laurer crowned^ as a conquerour^ 

And ther he lyveth in joye and in honour 

Terme of his Ijve, what nedeth wordes mo ? 

And in a tour^ in angwissh and in wo^ 1030 

Dwellen this Palamon and eek Arcite 

For evermoore^ ther may no gold hem quite. 

This passeth yeer by yeer^ and day by day^ 
Till it fil ones^ in a morwe of May^ 

That Emelye^ that fairer was to sene 1035 

Than is the lylie upon his stalke grene^ 
And fressher than the May with floures newe — 
For with the rose colour stroof hir hewe^ 
I noot which was the fairer of hem two — 
Er it were day^ as was hir wone to do^ 1040 

She was arisen_, and al redy dight — 
For May wole have no slogardrie a-nyght; 
The sesoun priketh every gentil herte^ 
And maketh hym out of his slepe to sterte^ 
And seith^ 'arys and do thyn observaunce/ 1045 

This maked Emelye have remembraunce 
To doon honour to May^ and for to ryse. 
Yclothed was she fressh_, for to devyse^ 
Hir yelow heer was broyded in a tresse^ 

Bihynde hir bak^ a yerde long^ I gesse^ 1050 

And in the gardyn^ at the sonne upriste^ 
She walketh up and doun^ and as hir liste 
She gadereth floures^ party white and rede^ 
To make a subtil gerland for hir hede^ 

And as an aungel hevenysshly she soong. 1055 

The grete tour^ that was so thikke and stroong^ 
Which of the castel was the chief dongeoun^ 
Ther as the knyghtes weren in prisoun, 
Of whiche I tolde yow^ and tellen shal^ 

Was evene joynant to the gardyn wal 1060 

Ther as this Emelye hadde hir pleyynge. 

1029 his om. 1031 Dwellen om.; eek his felawe. 1039 fyner. 



32 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Bright was the sonne^ and cleer that morwenynge^ 

And Palamoun^ this woful prisoner_, 

As was his wone^ by leve of his gayler^ 

Was risen^ and romed in a chambre on heigh^ 1065 

In which he al the noble citee seigh^ 

And eek the gardyn^ ful of braunches grene^ 

Ther as this fresshe Emelye the shene 

Was in hire walk^ and romed up and doun. 

This sorweful prisoner^ this Palamoun^ 1070 

Goth in the chambre romynge to and fro^ 

And to hym-self compleynynge of his wo. 

That he was born^ ful ofte he seyde^ 'alias !' 

And so bifel^ by aventure or cas^ ^ 

That thurgh a wyndow^ thikke of many a barre 1075 

Of iren greets and square as any sparre_, 

He cast his eye upon Emelya^ 

And therwithal he bleynte^ and cryede "A !'' 

As though he stongen were unto the herte. 

And with that cry Arcite anon upsterte 1080 

And seyde^ *'Cosyn myn^ what eyleth thee^ 

That art so pale and deedly on to see ? 

Why cridestow? who hath thee doon offence? 

For Goddess love_, taak al in pacience 

Oure prisoun^ for it may noon oother be; 1085 

Fortune hath yeven us this adversitee. 

Som wikke aspect or disposicioun 

Of Saturne by sum constellacioun 

Hath yeven us this^ al though we hadde it sworn. 

So stood the hevene^ whan that we were born. lOQO 

We moste endure it^ this the short and playn.'' 

This Palamon answerde and seyde agayn^ 

'*Cosyn^ for sothe^ of this opinioun 

Thow hast a veyn ymaginacioun. 

This prison caused me nat for to crye_, 1095 

But I was hurt right now thurgh-out myn eye 

1063 And this. 1065 on an. 1078 cride. 



THE KNYGHTES TALE S3 

Into myn lierte^ that wol my bane be. 

The fairnesse of that lady^ that I see 

Yond in the gardyn romen to and fro^ 

Is cause of al my criyng and my wo. 1100 

I noot wher she be womman or goddesse_, 

But Venus is it^ soothly as I gesse." 

And therwithal^ on knees doun he fil^ 

And seyde_, ''Venus^ if it be thy wil^ 

Yow in this gardyn thus to transfigure 1105 

Bifore me^ sorweful wrecche creature^ 

Out of this prisoun helpe that we may scapen ! 

And if so be my destynee be shapen 

By eterne word to dyen in prisoun^ 

Of oure lynage have som eompassioun^ , 1110 

That is so lowe ybroght by tirannye.'' 

And with that word Arcite gan espye 
Wher-as this lady romed to and fro^ 
And with that sighte hir beautee hurte hym so. 
That if that Palamon was wounded sore, 1115 

Arcite is hurt as moche as he, or moore. 
And with a sigh he seyde pitously, 
''The fresshe beautee sleeth me sodeynly 
Of hir, that rometh in the yonder place ! 
And but I have hir mercy and hir grace 1120 

That I may seen hir atte leeste weye, 
I nam but deed, ther is namoore to seye.'' 
This Palamon, whan he tho wordes herde, 
Dispitously he looked and answerde, 

"Wheither seistow this in ernest or in ple}^?" 1125 

*'Nay,'' quod Arcite, ''in ernest by my fey, 
God helpe me so, me list ful yvele pleye/' 
This Palamon gan knytte his browes tweye; 
"It nere,'' quod he, "to thee no greet honour 
For to be fals, ne for to be traitour 1130 

To me, that am thy cosyn and thy brother, 
1115 icas oin. 



34 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Ysworn ful depe^ and ech of us til oother^ 

That nevere for to dyen in the peyne^ 

Til that the deeth departe shal us tweyne_, 

Neither of us in love to hyndre other^ 1135 

Ne in noon oother cas^ my leeve brother^ 

But that thou sholdest trewely forthren me 

In every cas^ as I shal forthren thee. 

This was thyn ooth^ and myn also certeyn^ 

I woot right wel thou darst it nat withseyn, 1140 

Thus artow of my conseil^ out of doute ; 

And now thou woldest f alsly been aboute 

To love my lady^ whom I love and serve 

And evere shal^ til that myn herte sterve. 

Nay^ certes^ -false Areite^ thow shalt nat so! 1145 

I loved hir firsts and tolde thee my wo 

As to my conseil^ and to my brother sworn_, 

To forthre me as I have toold biforn^ 

For which thou art ybounden as a knyght 

To helpen me^ if it lay in thy myght_, 1150 

Or elles artow fals_, I dar wel seyn/' 

This Arcite ful proudly spak ageyn^ 
"Thow shalt/' quod he^ "be rather fals than I. 
But thou art f als^ I telle thee outrely^ 

For paramour I loved hir first er thow. * 1155 

What^ wiltow seyn thou wistest nat yet now 
Wheither she be a womman or goddesse.^^ 
Thyn is aiFeceioun of hoolynesse^ 
And myn is love as to a creature; 

For which I tolde thee myn aventure ll60 

As to my cosyn and my brother sworn. 
I pose^ that thow lovedest hir biforn; 
Wostow nat wel the olde clerkes sawe 
That Vho shal yeve a lovere any lawe ?' 

Love is a gretter lawe^ by my pan, 1165 

Than may be yeve of any erthely man. 

1154 But And 



THE KNYGHTES TALE 35 

And therfore positif lawe and swich decree 

Is broken al day for love in ech degree. 

A man moot nedes love_, maugree his heed^ 

He may nat fleen it^ thogh he sholde be deed^ 1170 

Al be she mayde^ or wydwe^ or elles wyf. 

And eek it is nat likly^ al thy lyf^ 

To stonden in hir grace_, namoore shal I^ 

For wel thou woost thyselven^ verraily^ 

That thou and I be dampned to prisoun 1175 

Perpetuelly_, us gayneth no raunsoun. 

We stryven as dide the houndes for the boon^ 

They f oughte al day^ and yet hir part was noon. 

Ther cam a kyte^ whil they weren so wrothe^ 

And baar awey the boon bitwixe hem bothe. 1180 

And therfore at the kynges courts my brother, 

Ech man for hymself, ther is noon oother. 

Love if thee list, for I love, and ay shal; 

And soothly, leeve brother, this is al. 

Heere in this prisoun moote we endure, 1185 

And everich of us take his aventure.'' 

Greet was the strif and long bitwix hem tweye. 
If that I hadde leyser for to seye — 
But to theiFect ; it happed on a day. 

To telle it yow as shortly as I may, 1190 

A worthy due, that highte Perotheus, 
That felawe was unto due Theseus 
Syn thilke day that they were children lite. 
Was come to Atthenes his felawe to visite. 
And for to pleye as he was wont to do — 1195 

For in this world he loved no man so. 
And he loved hym als tendrely agayn. 
So wel they lovede, as olde bookes sayn. 
That whan that oon was deed, soothly to telle. 
His felawe wente and soughte hym doun in helle. 1200 

But of that storie list me nat to write ; 

1192 unto to. 1195 won. 



36 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Due Perotheus loved wel Arcite^ 

And hadde hym knowe at Thebes yeer by yere, 

And finally^ at requeste and preyere 

Of Perotheus^ withouten any raunsoun 1205 

Due Theseus hym leet out of prisoun 

Frely to goon^ wher that hym liste overall 

In swich a gyse as I you tellen shal. 

This was the forward^ pleynly for tendite^ 

Bitwixen Theseus and hym Arcite, 1210 

That if so were that Arcite were yfounde 

Evere in his lif^ by day or nyght or stounde^ 

In any contree of this Theseus^ 

And he were caught^ it was acorded thus^ 

That with a swerd he sholde lese his heed; 1215 

Ther nas noon oother remedie ne reed^ 

But taketh his leve and homward he him spedde ; 

Lat hym be war_, his nekke lith to wedde ! 

How greet a sorwe suiFreth now Arcite ! 
The deeth he feeleth thurgh his herte smyte^ 1220' 

He wepeth^ wayleth^ crieth pitously^ 
To sleen hymself he waiteth prively. 
He seyde^ *'Allas^ that day that he was born ! 
Now is my prisoun worse than bif orn ; 

Now is me shape eternally to dwelle 1225 

Nat in purgatorie but in helle. 
AUas^ that evere knew I Perotheus ! 
For elles hadde I dwelled with Theseus^ 
Yfetered in his prisoun evermo; 

Thanne hadde I been in blisse_, and nat in wo. 1230' 

Oonly the sighte of hire whom that I serve^ 
Though that I nevere hir grace may deserve^ 
Wolde han suffised right ynough for me. 
O deere cosyn Palamon/' quod he^ 

"Thyn is the victorie of this aventure. 1235- 

Ful blis fully in prison maistow dure. — 

1226 in my. 



i 



THE KNYGHTES TALE 37 

In prisoun? certes^ nay^ but in Paradys ! 

Wei hath Fortune yturned thee the dys^ 

That hast the sighte of hir_, and I thabsence; 

For possible is^ syn thou hast hir presence^ 1240 

And art a knyght^ a worthy and an able^ 

That by som cas^ syn Fortune is chaungeable^ 

Thow maist to thy desir som tyme atteyne. 

But I^ that am exiled and bareyne 

Of alle grace^ and in so greet dispeir 1245 

That ther nys erthe^ water^ fir^ ne eir^ 

Ne creature^ that of hem maked is^ 

That may me heelp^ or doon confort in this^ 

Wei oughte I sterve in wanhope and distresse_, 

Farwel^ my lif_, my lust^ and my gladnesse ! 1250 

Allas_, why pleynen folk so in commune 

On purveyaunce of God or of Fortune_, 

That yeveth hem ful ofte in many a gyse 

Wei bettre than they kan hem-self devyse? 

Som man desireth for to han richesse^, 1255 

That cause is of his moerdre or greet siknesse. 

And som man wolde out of his prisoun fayn^ 

That in his hous is of his meynee slayn. 

Infinite harmes been in this mateere_, 

We witen nat what thing we prey en here, 1260 

We faren as he that dronke is as a mous; 

A dronke man woot wel he hath an hous^ 

But he noot which the righte wey is thider^ 

And to a dronke man the wey is slider. 

And certes^ in this world so faren we; 1265 

We seken faste after felicitee^ 

But we goon wrong ful often trewely. 

Thus may we seyen alle^ and namely I^ 

That wende and hadde a greet opinioun 

That if I myghte escapen from prisoun^ 1£70 

Thanne hadde I been in joye and perfit heele^ 

1252 puruieaunce. 1260 thing om. 1262 that he. 1268 seyn. 



38 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Ther now I am exiled fro my wele. 
Syn that I may nat seen you^ Emelye^ 
I nam but deed^ ther nys no remedye/' 

Upon that oother syde^ Palamon^ 1275 

Whan that he wiste Areite was agon^ 
Swich sorwe he maketh^ that the grete tour 
Resouneth of his youlyng and clamour. 
The pure fettres on his shynesf grete 

Weren of his bittre salte teeres wete. 1280 

"Alias/' quod he^ "Areite^ cosyn myn ! 
Of al oure strif^ God woot^ the fruyt is thyn. 
Thow walkest now in Thebes at thy large. 
And of my wo thow yevest litel charge. 

Thou mayst, syn thou hast wysdom and manhede, 1285 

Assemblen alle the folk of oure kynrede. 
And make a werre so sharp on this citee, 
That by som aventure_, or som tretee, 
Thow mayst have hir to lady and to wyf, 
For whom that I moste nedes lese my lyf. 1290 

For as by wey of possibilitee, 
Sith thou art at thy large of prisoun free. 
And art a lord, greet is thyn avauntage 
Moore than is myn^ that sterve here in a cage. 
For I moot wepe and wayle, whil I lyve, 1295 

With al the wo that prison may me yeve, 
And eek with peyne that love me yeveth also, 
That doubleth al my torment and my wo.'' 
Therwith the fyr of jalousie up-sterte 

Withinne his brest, and hente him by the herte 1300 

So woodly, that he lyk was to biholde 
The boxtree, or the asshen dede and colde. 
Thanne seyde he^ "O cruel goddes, that governe 
This world with byndyng of youre word eterne. 
And writen in the table of atthamaunt 1305 

Youre parlement and youre eterne graunt, 

1272 Thei^ That. 1278 Resouned. 



THE KNYGHTES TALE 39 

What is mankynde moore unto you holde 

Than is the sheep that rouketh in the folde? 

For slayn is man right as another beeste^ 

And dwelleth eek in prison and arreeste^ 1310 

And hath siknesse^ and greet adversitee^ 

And ofte tymes giltelees^ pardee ! 

What governance is in this prescience 

That giltelees tormenteth innocence? 

And yet encresseth this al my penaunce^ 1315 

That man is bounden to his observaunce_, 

For Goddes sake^ to letten of his wille^ 

Ther as a beest may al his lust fulfille. 

And whan a beest is deed^ he hath no peyne_, 

But man after his deeth moot wepe and pleyne, 1320 

Though in this world he have care and wo. 

Withouten doute it may stonden so. 

The answere of this lete I to dyvynys_, 

But well I woot^ that in this world greet pyne ys. 

Allas^ I se a serpent or a theef^ 1325 

That many a trewe man hath doon mescheef^ 

Goon at his large_, and where hym list may turne ! 

But I moot been in prisoun thurgh Saturne^ 

And eek thurgh Juno^ j alous and eek wood^ 

That hath destroyed wel ny al the blood 1330 

Of Thebes_, with hise waste walles wyde. 

And Venus sleeth me on that oother syde 

For jalousie and fere of hym Arcite.'' 

Now wol I stynte of Palamon a lite^ 
And lete hym in his prisoun stille dwelle^ 1335 

And of Arcita forth I wol yow telle. 
The somer passeth^ and the nyghtes longe 
Encressen double wise the peynes stronge 
Bothe of the lovere and the prisoner ; 
I noot which hath the wofuller mester. 1340 

1309 beest. 1310 arreest. 1312, 1314, giltlees. 1320 man moot. 
1337 somer sonne. 



40 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

For shortly for to seyn^ this Palamoun 

Perpetuelly is dampned to prisoun 

In cheynes and in fettres to been deed^ 

And Arcite is exiled upon his heed 

For evere mo as out of that contree^ 1345 

Ne nevere mo he shal his lady see. 

Yow loveres axe I now this questioun^ 
Who hath the worse^ Arcite or Palamoun? 
That oon may seen his lady day by day^ 
But in prison he moot dwelle alway ; 1350 

That oothier wher hym list may ride or go_, 
But seen his lady shal he nevere mo. 
Now demeth as yow liste ye that kan^ 
For I wol telle forth^ as I bigan. 

Explicit prima pars. 

Sequitur pars secunda. 

Whan that Arcite to Thebes comen was^ 1355 

Ful ofte a day he swelte and seyde 'alias/ 
For seen his lady shal he nevere mo ; 
And shortly to concluden al his wo^ 
So muche sorwe hadde nevere creature^ 

That is^ or shal^ whil that the world may dure. 1360 

His sleep_, his mete^ his drynke is hym biraft. 
That lene he wex and drye as is a shaft. 
Hise eyen holwe and grisly to biholde^ 
His hewe falow and pale as asshen colde; 
And solitarie he was and evere allone 1365 

And waillynge al the nyght^ makynge his mone. 
And if he herde song or instrument^ 
Thanne wolde he wepe^ he myghte nat be stent. 
So feble eek were hise spiritz^ and so lowe^ 
And chaunged so^ that no man koude knowe 1370 

1353 list. 1362 wexeth. 



i 



THE KNYGHTES TALE 41 

His speche nor his voys^ though men it herde. 

And in his geere for al the world he ferde 

Nat oonly lik the loveris maladye 

Of Hereos^ but rather lyk manye 

Engendred of humour malencolik 1875 

Biforen in his celle fantastik^ 

And shortly turned was al up-so-doun 

Bothe habit and eek disposicioun 

Of hym^ this woful lovere daun Arcite. 

What sholde I al day of his wo endite? 1380 

Whan he endured hadde a yeer or two 

This crueel torment^ and this peyne and woo^ 

At Thebes in his contree^ as I seyde^ 

Upon a nyght in sleep as he hym leyde^ 

Hym thoughte how that the wynged god Mercurie 1385 

Biforn hym stood^ and bad hym to be murie. 

His slepy yerde in bond he bar uprighte^ 

An hat he werede upon hise heris brighte. 

Arrayed was this god_, as he took keep^ 

As he was whan that Argus took his sleep ; 1390 

And seyde hym thus^ '*To Atthenes shaltou wende^ 

Ther is thee shapen of thy wo an ende/' 

And with that word Arcite wook and sterte. 

"Now trewely_, how soore that me smerte/' 

Quod he^ "to Atthenes right now wol I fare^ 1395 

Ne for the drede of deeth shal I nat spare 

To se my lady that I love and serve^ 

In hir presence I recche nat to sterve/' 

And with that word he caughte a greet mirour^ 

And saugh that chaunged was al his colour^ 1400 

And saugh his visage al in another kynde. 

And right anon it ran hym in his mynde^ 

That sith his face was so disfigured 

Of maladye^ the which he hadde endured^ 

He myghte wel^ if that he bar hym lowe, 1405 

1376 Biforn his owene. 1388 up. 1389 he I. 



42 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Lyve in Atthenes^ everemoore unknowe^ 

And seen his lady wel ny day by day. 

And right anon he chaunged his array^ 

And cladde hym as a povre laborer_, 

And al allone_, save oonly a squier 1410 

That knew his privetee and al his cas_, 

Which was disgised povrely^ as he was^ 

To Atthenes is he goon^ the nexte way. 

And to the court he wente^ upon a day^ 

And at the gate he profreth his servyse^ 1415 

To drugge and drawe^ what so men wol devyse. • 

And shortly of this matere for to seyn^ 

He fil in office with a chamberleyn^ 

The which that dwellynge was with Emelye^ 

For he was wys and koude soone espye 1420 

Of every servant which that serveth here. 

Wel koude he hewen wode^ and water bere^ 

For he was yong and myghty for the nones^ 

And therto he was strong and big of bones 

To doon that any wight kan hym devyse. 1425 

A yeer or two he was in this servyse 

Page of the chambre of Emelye the brighte; 

And Philostrate he seyde that he highte. 

But half so wel biloved a man as he 

Ne was ther nevere in court^ of his degree; 1430 

He was so gentil of condicioun 

That thurghout al the court was his renoun. 

They seyden^ that it were a charitee^ 

That Theseus wolde enhaunsen his degree^ 

Arid putten hym in worshipful servyse 1435 

Ther as he myghte his vertu exercise. 

And thus withinne a while his name is spronge 

Bothe of hise dedes and his goode tonge^ 

That Theseus hath taken hym so neer 

That of his chambre he made hym a Squier^ 1440 

1424 strong long. 



J 



THE KNYGHTES TALE 43 

And gaf hym gold to mayntene his degree. 

And eek men broghte hym out of his contree 

From yeer to yeer^ ful pryvely^ his rente. 

But honestly and slyly he it spente^ 

That no man wondred how that he it hadde. 1445 

And thre yeer in this wise his lif he ladde^ 

And bar hym so in pees^ and eek in werre, 

Ther was no man that Theseus hath derre. 

And in this blisse lete I now Arcite^ 

And speke I wole of Palamon a lite. 1450 

In derknesse and horrible and strong prisoun 
Thise seven yeer hath seten Palamoun_, 
Forpyned^ what for wo and for distresse. 
Who feeleth double soor and hevynesse 

But Palamon^ that love destreyneth so^ 1455 

That wood out of his wit he goth for wo ? 
And eek therto he is a prisoner_, 
Perpetuelly^ noght oonly for a yer. 
Who koude ryme in Englyssh proprely 

His martirdom? Forsothe it am nat I^ 1460 

Therfore I passe as lightly as I may. 
It fel that in the seventhe yer^ in May^ 
The thridde nyght^ as olde bookes seyn^ 
That al this storie tellen moore pleyn^ 

Were it by aventure or destynee — • 1465 

As^ whan a thyng is shapen_, it shal be — 
That soone after the mydnyght^ Palamoun 
By helpyng of a freend^ brak his prisoun 
And fieeth the citee f aste as he may go ; 

For he hade yeve his gayler drynke so 1470 

Of a clarree maad of a certeyn wyn^ 
With nercotikes and opie of Thebes fyn^ 
That al that nyght^ thogh that men w^olde him shake^ 
The gayler sleep^ he myghte nat awake. 
And thus he fleeth as faste as evere he may; 1475 

1472 With Of. 



44 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

The nyght was short and faste by the day^ 

That nedes-cost he moot hymselven hyde; 

And til a grove^ faste ther bisyde^ 

With dredeful foot thanne stalketh Palamoun. 

For shortly this was his opinioun^ 1480 

That in that grove he wolde hym hyde al day. 

And in the nyght thanne wolde he take his way 

To Thebesward, his freendes for to preye 

On Theseus to helpe hym to werreye ; 

And shortly, outher he wolde lese his lif, 1485 

Or wynnen Emelye unto his wyf ; 

This is theftect and his entente pleyn. 

Now wol I turne to Arcite ageyn. 

That litel wiste how ny that was his care 

Til that Fortune had broght him in the snare. 1490 

The bisy larke, messager of day, 
Salueth in hir song the morwe gray. 
And firy Phebus riseth up so brighte 
That al the orient laugheth of the lighte. 
And with hise stremes dryeth in the greves 1495 

The silver dropes hangynge on the leves ; 
And Arcita, that is in the court roial 
With Theseus, his squier principal. 
Is risen, and looketh on the myrie day. 

And for to doon his observaunce to May, 1500 

Remembrynge on the poynt of his desir 
He on a courser startlynge as the fir 
Is riden into the feeldes, hym to pleye, 
Out of the court, were it a myle or tweye. 
And to the grove of which that I yow tolde 1505 

By aventure his wey he gan to holde. 
To maken hym a gerland of the greves. 
Were it of wodebynde or hawethorn-leves. 
And loude he song ayeyn the sonne shene, 
"May, with alle thy floures and thy grene, 1510 

Welcome be thou, faire fresshe May, 



ill 



THE KNYGHTES TALE 45 

In hope that I som grene gete may/' 

And from his courser^ with a lusty herte^ 

Into a grove ful hastily he sterte^ 

And in a path he rometh up and doun 1515 

Ther as by aventure this Palamoun 

Was in a bussh^ that no man myghte hym se; 

For soore afered of his deeth was he. 

No thyng ne knew he that it was Arcite^ 

God woot^ he wolde have trowed it ful lite ! 1520 

But sooth is seyd^ gon sithen many yeres^ 

That feeld hath eyen and the wode hath eres. 

It is ful fair a man to here hym evene_, 

For al day meeteth men at unset stevene. 

Ful litel woot Arcite of his felawe^ 1525 

That was so ny to herknen al his sawe^ 

For in the bussh he sitteth now ful stille. 

Whan that Arcite^ hadde romed al his fille 
And songen al the roundel lustily^ 

Into a studie he fil al sodeynly^ , 1530 

As doon thise loveres in hir queynte geres^ 
Now in the croppe^ now doun in the breres^ 
Now up^ now doun_, as boket in a welle. 
Right as the Friday^ soothly for to telle^ 

Now it shyneth^ now it reyneth faste^ 1535 

Right so kan geery Venus overcaste 
The hertes of hir folk; right as hir day 
Is gereful^ right so chaungeth she array. 
Selde is the Friday al the wowke ylike. 

Whan that Arcite had songe^ he gan to sike^ 1540 

And sette hym doun withouten any moore ; 
*'Allas/' quod he^ "that day that I was bore ! 
How longe^ Juno^ thurgh thy crueltee 
Woltow werreyen Thebes the Citee? 

AUas^ ybroght is to confusioun 1545 

The blood roial of Cadme and Amphioun ! 

1518 aferd : thanne was. 1521 go. 1532 crope. 



46 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Of Cadmus^ which that was the firste man 

That Thebes bulte_, or first the toun bigan^ 

And of the citee first was crouned kyng. 

Of his lynage am I^ and his ofspryng^ 1550 

By verray ligne^ as of the stok roial^ 

And now I am so caytyf and so thral 

That he that is my mortal enemy 

I serve hym as his squier povrely. 

And yet dooth Juno me wel moore shame_, 1555 

For I dar noght biknowe myn owene name. 

But theras I was wont to highte Arcite^ 

Nojv highte I Philostrate, noght worth a myte. 

AUas^ thou felle Mars ! allas^ Juno ! 

Thus hath youre ire oure kynrede al fordo, 1560 

Save oonly me, and wrecched Palamoun 

That Theseus martireth in prisoun. 

And over al this, to sleen me outrely, 

Love hath his firy dart so brennyngly 

Ystiked thurgh my trewe careful herte, 1565 

That shapen was my deeth erst than my sherte. 

Ye sleen me with youre eyen, Emelye, 

Ye been the cause wherfore that I dye. 

Of al the remenant of myn oother care 

Ne sette I nat the montance of a tare, 1570 

So that I koude doon aught to youre plesaunce." 

And with that word he fil doun in a traunce 

A longe tyme^ and after he upsterte. 

This Palamoun, that thoughte that thurgh his herte 
He felte a coold swerd sodeynliche glyde, 1575^ 

For ire he quook, no lenger wolde he byde. 
And whan that he had herd Arcites tale. 
As he were wood, with face deed and pale. 
He stirte hym up out of the buskes thikke. 
And seide, "Arcite, false traytour wikke ! 1580 

Now artow hent that lovest my lady so, 
For whom that I have al this peyne and wo. 



i 



THE KNYGHTES TALE 47 

And art my bloody and to my conseil sworn^ 

As I ful ofte have seyd thee heer-biforn^ 

And hast byjaped heere due Theseus^ 1585 

And falsly chaunged hast thy name thus. ' 

I wol be deed^ or elles thou shalt dye; 

Thou shalt nat love my lady Emelye^ 

But I wol love hire oonly^ and namo^ 

For I am Palamon^ thy mortal f oo ! 1590 

And though that I no wepene have in this place^ 

But out of prison am astert by grace^ 

I drede noght that outher thow shalt dye^ 

Or thow ne shalt nat loven Emelye. 

Chees which thou wolt^ for thou shalt nat asterte !'' 1595 

This Arcite^ with ful despitous herte^ 

Whan he hym knew^ and hadde his tale herd^ 

As fiers as leoun pulled out his swerd^ 

And seyde thus: "By God that sit above^ 

Nere it that thou art sik and wood for love^ 1600 

And eek that thow no wepne hast in this place^ 

Thou sholdest nevere out of this grove pace^ 

That thou ne sholdest dyen of myn hond. 

For I defye the seurete and the bond 

Which that thou seist that I have maad to thee. l605 

What^ verray f ool_, thynk wel that love is free ! 

x\nd I wol love hir_, maugree al thy myght ! 

But for as muche thou art a worthy knyght^ 

And wilnest to darreyne hire by bataille_, 

Have heer my trouthe; tomorwe I wol nat faille l6lO 

Withoute wityng of any oother wight 

That heere I wol be founden as a knyght^ 

And bryngen barneys right ynough for thee^ 

And chese the beste^ and leve the worste for me. 

And mete and drynke this nyght wol I brynge l6l5 

Ynough for thee^ and clothes for thy beddynge ; 

And if so be that thou my lady wynne^ 

And sle me in this wode ther I am inne^ 



48 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Thow mayst wel have thy lady as for me/' 

This Palamon answerde^ ''I graunte it thee/' 1620 

And thus they been departed til amorwe^ 

Whan ech of hem had leyd his feith to borwe. 

O Cupide^ out of alle charitee ! 
O regne^ that wolt no f elawe have with thee ! 
Ful sooth is seyd that love ne lordshipe l625 

Wol noght^ hir thankes^ have no felaweshipe. 
Wel fynden that Arcite and Palamoun: 
Arcite is riden anon unto the toun_, 
And on the morwe^ er it were dayes light^ 
Ful prively two barneys hath he dight^ l6S0 

Bothe suffisaunt and mete to darreyne 
The bataille in the f eeld bitwix hem tweyne. 
And on his hors^ allone as he was born_, 
He carieth al this barneys hym biforn^ 

And in the grove^ at tyme and place yset^ 1635 

This Arcite and this Palamon ben met. 
Tho chaungen gan the colour in hir face 
Right as the hunters in the regne of Trace^ 
That stondeth at the gappe with a spere. 
Whan hunted is the leoun and the bere^ l640 

And hereth hym come russhyng in the greves^ 
And breketh bothe bowes and the leves^ 
And thynketh^ "Heere cometh my mortal enemy_, 
Withoute faille he moot be deed or !_, 

For outher I moot sleen hym at the gappe^ 1645 

Or he moot sleen me^ if that me myshappe" — 
So ferden they in chaungyng of hir hewe^ 
As fer as everich of hem oother knewe. 
Ther nas no good day ne no saluyng^ 

But streight wdthouten word or rehersyng^ 1650 

Everich of hem heelp for to armen oother^ 
As freendly as he were his owene brother. 
And after that with sharpe speres stronge 

1634 this the. 1637 Tho To. 1652 freenly. 



THE KNYGHTES TALE 49 

They foynen ech at oother wonder longe. 

Thou myghtest wene that this Palamoun 1655 

In his fightyng were a wood leoun^ 

And as a crueel tigre was Areite. 

As wilde bores gonne they to smyte^ ^ 

That frothen white as foom for ire wood. 

Up to the ancle foghte they in hir blood; I66O 

And in this wise I lete hem fightyng dwelle^ 

And forth I wole of Theseus yow telle. 

The destinee_, ministre general_, 
That executeth in the world overal 

The purveiaunce that God hath seyn biforn^ 1665 

So strong it is^ that though the world had sworn 
The contrarie of a thyng^ by ye or nay^ 
Yet somtyme it shal fallen on a day 
That falleth nat eft withinne a thousand yeere. 
For certeinly^ oure appetites heere^ 1670 

Be it of werre^ or pees^ or hate^ or love^ 
Al is this reuled by the sighte above. . 
This mene I now by myghty Theseus^ 
That for to hunten is so desirus 

And namely at the grete hert in May^ 1675 

That in his bed ther daweth hym no day 
That he nys clad^ and redy for to ryde 
With hunte and horn^ and houndes hym bisyde. 
For in his huntjmg hath he swich delit 

That it is al his joye and appetit I68O 

To been hymself the grete hertes bane — 
For after Mars he serveth now Dyane. 

Cleer was the day^ as I have toold er this^ 
And Theseus^ with alle joye and blis^ 

With his Ypolita^ the faire quene^ 1685 

And Emelye^ clothed al in grene^ 
On huntyng be they riden roially^ 
And to the grove^ that stood ful faste by^ 
In which ther was an hert^ as men hym tolde^ 



50 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Due Theseus the streighte wey hath holde^ l690 

And to the launde he rideth hym ful rights 

For thider was the hert wont have his flighty 

And over a brook^ and so forth in his weye. 

This due W'ol han a cours at hym^ or tweye^ 

With houndes swiche as that hym list comaunde. 1695 

And whan this due was come unto the launde^ 

Under the sonne he looketh_, and anon 

He was war of Arcite and Palamon_, 

That foughten breme^ as it were bores two; 

The brighte swerdes wenten to and fro 1700 

So hidously^ that with the leeste strook 

It semed as it wolde felle an ook; 

But what they were^ nothyng he ne woot. 

This due his courser with his spores smoot/ 

And at a stert he was bitwix hem two^ 1705 

And pulled out a swerd^ and cride^ *'Hoo ! 

Namoore^ up peyne of lesynge of youre heed ! 

By myghty Mars^ he shal anon be deed 

That smyteth any strook^ that I may seen ! 

But telleth me what myster men ye been^ 1710 

That been so hardy for to fighten heere. 

Withouten juge or oother officere^ 

As it were in a lystes roially?" 

This Palamon answer de hastily^ 

And seyde^ "Sire^ what nedeth wordes mo? 1715 

We have the deeth disserved^ bothe two. 

Two woful wrecches been we^ two caytyves^ 

That been encombred of oure owene lyves^ 

And as thou art a rightful lord and juge^ 

Ne yeve us neither mercy ne refuge^ 1720 

But sle me first for seinte charitee; 

But sle my felawe eek as wel as me — 

Or sle hym firsts f or^ though thow knowest it lite^ 

This is thy mortal foo^ this is Arcite^ 

1702 fille. 1707 upon. 1710 mystiers. 



II 



THE KNYGHTES TALE 51 

That fro thy lond is banysshed on his heed, 1725 

For which he hath deserved to be deed. 

For this is he_, that cam unto thy gate_, 

And seyde that he highte Philostrate. 

Thus hath he japed thee ful many a yer^ 

And thou hast maked hym thy chief Squier, 1730 

And this is he that loveth Emelye. 

For sith the day is come that I shal dye^ 

I make pleynly my confessioun 

That I am thilke woful Palamoun^ 

That hath thy prisoun broken wikkedly. 1735 

I am thy mortal foo, and it am I 

That loveth so hoote Emelye the brighte. 

That I wol dye present in hir sighte; 

Wherfore I axe deeth and my juvrise — 

But sle my felawe in the same wise 1740 

For bothe han we deserved to be slayn/' 

This worthy due answerde anon agayn, 

And seyde, "This is a short conclusioun, 

Youre owene mouth, by your confessioun. 

Hath dampned yow, and I wol it recorde. 1745 

It nedeth noght to pyne yow with the corde, 

Ye shal be deed, by myghty Mars the rede !" 

The queene anon, for verray wommanhede, 

Gan for to wepe, and so dide Emelye, 

And alle the ladyes in the compaignye. 1750 

Greet pitee was it, as it thoughte hem alle. 

That evere swich a chaunce sholde falle. 

For gentilmen they were of greet estaat. 

And no thyng but for love was this debaat. 

And saugh hir blody woundes wyde and soore, 1755 

And alle crieden, bothe lasse and moore, 

**Have mercy, lord, upon us wommen alle I" 

And on hir bare knees adoun they falle. 

And wolde have kist his feet ther as he stood; 

Til at the laste aslaked was his mood, 1760 



52 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

For pitee renneth soone in gentil herte. 

And though he first for ire quook and sterte^ 

He hath considered shortly in a clause 

The trespas of hem bothe^ and eek the cause^ 

And although that his ire hir gilt accused^ 1765 

Yet in his resoun he hem bothe excused. 

As thus^ he thoghte wel^ that every man 

Wol helpe hym-self in love^ if that he kan^ 

And eek delivere hym-self out of prisoun ; 

And eek his herte hadde compassioun 1770 

Of wommen^, for they wepen evere in oon. 

And in his gentil herte he thoughte anon_, 

And softe unto hym-self he seyde^ *'Fy 

Upon a lord that wol have no mercy^ 

But been a leoun^ bothe in word and dede^ 1775 

To hem that been in repentaunce and drede_, 

As wel as to a proud despitous man^ 

That wol maynteyne that he first bigan! 

That lord hath litel of discrecioun 

That in swich cas kan no divisioun^ 1780 

But weyeth pride and humblesse after oon." 

And shortly^ whan his ire is thus agoon^ 

He gan to looken up with eyen lighte^ 

And spak thise same wordes al on highte: 

"The God of love, A! benedicite! 1785 

How myghty and how greet a lord is he ! 
Ayeyns his myght ther gayneth none obstacles,, 
He may be cleped a god for hise myracles, 
For he kan maken at his owene gyse 

Of everich herte as that hym list divyse. 1790 

Lo heere, this Arcite and this Palamoun 
That quitly weren out of my prisoun, 
And myghte han lyved in Thebes roially, 

And witen I am hir mortal enemy, . 

And that hir deth lith in my myght also ; 1795 I ^ 

1767 As And. 



THE KNYGHTES TALE 53 

And yet hath love^ maugree hir even two^ 

Ybroght hem hyder bothe for to dye ! 

Now looketh^ is nat that an heigh folye? 

Who may been a fole^ but if he love? 

Bihoold^ for Goddes sake that sit above^ 1800 

Se how they blede ! Be they noght wel arrayed? 

Thus hath hir lord^ the God of Love^ ypayed 

Hir wages and hir fees for hir servyse ! 

And yet they wenen for to been ful wyse^ 

That serven love^ for aught that may bifalle ! 1805 

But this is yet the beste game of alle^ 

That she^ for whom they han this jolitee_, 

Kan hem therf ore as muche thank^ as me ! 

She woot namoore of al this hoote fare^ 

By God^ than woot a cokkow or an hare! 1810 

But all moot ben assayed^ hoot and coold ; 

A man moot ben a fool^ or yong or oold; 

I woot it by myself ful yore agon^ 

For in my tyme a servant was I oon. 

And therf or e_, syn I knowe of loves peyne^ 1815 

And woot how soore it kan a man distreyne^ 

As he that hath ben caught ofte in his laas^ 

I yow foryeve al hooUy this trespaas^ 

At requeste of the queene that kneleth heere^ 

And eek of Emelye^ my suster deere. 1820 

And ye shul bothe anon unto me swere^ 

That nevere mo ye shal my contree dere^ 

Ne make werre upon me^ nyght ne day^ 

But been my freendes in al that ye may^ 

I yow foryeve this trespas^ every deel/' 1825 

And they hym sworen his axyng^ faire and weel_, 

And hym of lordship and of mercy preyde^ 

And he hem graunteth grace^ and thus he seyde : 

"To speke of roial lynage and richesse^ 
Though that she were a queene or a princesse^ 1830 

1810 or of. 



54 ^ THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Ech of you bothe is worthy doutelees 

To wedden whan tyme is^ but nathelees 

I speke as for my suster Emelye^ 

For whom ye have this strif and jalousye: 

Ye woot yourself^ she may nat wedden two 1835 

Atones_, though ye fighten everemo ! 

That oon of you^ al be hym looth or lief, 

He moot go pipen in an yvy-leef — 

This is to seyn, she may nat now han bothe, 

Al be ye never so jalouse, ne so wrothe. 1840 

And forthy, I yow putte in this degree; 

That ech of yow shal have his destynee 

As hym is shape, and herkneth in what wyse; 

Lo, heere your ende of that I shal devyse. 

My wyl is this, for plat conclusioun, 1845 

Withouten any repplicacioun. 
If that you liketh, take it for the beste. 
That everich of you shal goon where hym leste, 
Frely, withouten raunson, or daunger. 

And this day fifty wykes fer ne ner, 1850 

Everich of you shal brynge an hundred knyghtes 
Armed for lystes up at alle rightes, 
Al redy to darreyne hire by bataille. 
And this bihote I yow withouten faille. 

Upon my trouthe, and as I am a knyght, 1855 

That wheither of yow bothe that hath myght. 
This is to seyn, that wheither he, or thow. 
May with his hundred, as I spak of now, 
Sleen his contrarie, or out of lystes dryve, 
Thanne shal I yeve Emelya to wyve, I860 

To whom that Fortune yeveth so fair a grace. 
Tho lystes shal I maken in this place. 
And God so wisly on my soule rewe. 
As I shal evene juge been, and trewe. 
Ye shul noon oother ende with me maken, 1865 

1832 but nathelees doutelees. 1838 go om. 



I 



I 



THE KNYGHTES TALE 55 

That oon of yow ne shal be deed or taken. 

And if yow thynketh this is weel ysayd^ 

Sey eth youre avys and holdeth you apayd ; 

This is youre ende and youre conclusioun/' 

Who looketh lightly now but Palamoun? 1870 

Who spryngeth up for joye but Arcite? 

Who kouthe tellen_, or who kouthe endite 

The joye that is maked in the place^ 

Whan Theseus hath doon so fair a grace? 

But doun on knees wente every maner wight^ 1875 

And thonken hym with al hir herte and myght. 

And namely the Thebans^ often sithe. 

And thus with good hope and with herte blithe 

They taken hir leve_, and homward gonne they ride 

To Thebes with hise olde walles wyde. 1880 

Explicit secunda pars 

SequHur pars tercia 

I trowe men wolde deme it necligence_, 
If I foryete to tellen the dispence 
Of Theseus^ that gooth so bisily 
To maken up the lystes roially; 

That swich a noble theatre as it was^ 1885 

I dar wel seyen_, in this world ther nas. 
The circuit a myle was aboute_, 
Walled of stoon^ and dyched al withoute. 
Round was the shap^ in manere of compas^ 
Ful of degrees the heighte of sixty pas^ 1890 

That whan a man was set on o degree^ 
He lette nat his felawe for to see. 
Estward ther stood a gate of marbul whit^ 
Westward^ right swich another in the opposit; 
And shortly to concluden^ swich a place 1895 

Was noon in erthe_, as in so litel space. 

1886 seyn. 



56 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

For in the lond ther was no crafty man 

That geometric or ars-mctrik kan^ 

Ne portreitour_, nc kcrvcre of ymages_, 

That Theseus ne yaf him mete and wages 1900 

The theatre for to maken and devyse. 

And for to doon his ryte and sacrifise 

He estward hath upon the gate above_, 

In worship of Venus^ goddesse of love^ 

Doon make an auter and an oratorie. 1905 

And on the gate westward^ in memorie 

Of Mars^ he maked hath right swich another^ 

That coste largely of gold a fother. 

And northward^ in a touret on the wal 

Of alabastre whit^ and reed coral^ 1910 

An oratorie^ riche for to see^ 

In worship of Dyane^ of chastitee^ 

Hath Theseus doon wroght in noble wyse. 

But yet hadde I foryeten to devyse 

The noble kervyng and the portreitures^ 1915 

The shap^ the contenaunce^ and the figures^ 

That weren in thise oratories thre. 

First in the temple of Venus maystow se 

Wroght on the wal^ ful pitous to biholde^ 

The broken slepes and the sikes colde_, 1920 

The sacred teeris and the waymentynge^ 

The iiry strokes_, and the desirynge 

That loves servauntz in this lyf enduren; 

The othes that her covenantz assuren; 

Plesaunce and Hope^ Desir^ Foolhardynesse^ 1925 

Beautee and Youthe^ Bauderie_, Richesse^ 

Charmes and Force^ Lesynges^ Flaterye^ 

Despense^ Bisynesse^ and Jalousye^ 

That wered of yelewe gooldes a gerland^ 

And a cokkow sittynge on hir hand; 19^0 

Festes_, instrumentz^ caroles^ daunces^ 

1900 him om. 1906 gate om. 






i 



THE KNYGHTES TALE 57 

Lust and array^ and alle the circumstaunces 

Of love^ whiche that I rekned^ and rekne shal, 

By ordre weren peynted on the wal^ 

And mo than I kan make of mencioun; 19^5 

For soothly^ al the mount of Citheroun^ 

Ther Venus hath hir principal dwellynge^ 

Was shewed on the wal in portreyynge, 

With al the gardyn and the lustynesse. 

Nat was foryeten the Porter Ydelnesse^ 194<0 

Ne Narcisus the faire^ of yore agon^ 

Ne yet the folye of kyng Salamon^ 

And eek the grete strengthe of Ercules^ 

Thenchauntementz of Medea and Circes^ 

Ne of Turnus^ with the hardy fiers corage^ 1945 

The riche Cresus^ kaytyf in servage; 

Thus may ye seen^ that wysdom ne richesse^ 

Beautee ne sleighte^ strengthe^ hardynesse_, 

Ne may with Venus holde ehampartie^ 

For as hir list^ the world than may she^ gje, 1950 

Lo^ alle thise folk so caught were in hir las^ 

Til they for wo ful ofte seyde 'alias !' 

SufBseth heere ensamples oon or two — 

And^ though^ I koude rekene a thousand mo. 

The statue of Venus^ glorious for to se^ 1955 

Was naked^ fletynge in the large see^ 
And fro the navele doun al covered was 
With wawes grene_, and brighte as any glas. 
A citole in hir right hand hadde she^ 

-And on hir heed^ ful semely for to se^ I960 

A rose gerland^ fressh and wel smellynge; 
Above hir heed hir dowves flikerynge. 
Biforn hir stood hir sone^ Cupido^ 
Upon his shuldres wynges hadde he two^ 
And blynd he was^ as it was often scene. 1965 

A bowe he bar^ and arwes brighte and kene. 

1933 have and. 1942 Ne And. 



58 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Why sholde I noght as wel eek telle yow al 
The portreiture^ that was upon the wal 
Withinne the temple of myghty Mars the rede? 
Al peynted was the wal in lengthe and brede 1970 

Lyk to the estres of the grisly place 
That highte the grete temple of Mars in Trace, 
In thilke colde frosty regioun 
Ther as Mars hath his sovereyn mansioun. 
First on the wal was peynted a forest 1975 

In which ther dwelleth neither man ne best, 
With knotty knarry bareyne trees olde. 
Of stubbes sharpe and hidouse to biholde. 
In which ther ran a rumbel and a swough 
As though a storm sholde bresten every bough. 1980 

And dounward from an hille, under a bente, 
Ther stood the temple of Mars Armypotente, 
Wroght al of burned steel, of which the entree 
Was long and streit, and gastly for to see, 
And therout came a rage and suche a veze, 1985 

That it made al the gate for to rese. 
The northren lyght in at the dores shoon, 
For wyndowe on the wal ne was ther noon, 
Thurgh which men myghten any light discerne. 
The dore was al of adamant eterne, 1990 

Yclenched overthwart and endelong 
With iren tough, and for to make it strong 
Every pyler, the temple to sustene. 
Was tonne-greet of iren bright and shene. 
Ther saugh I first the dirke ymaginyng 1995 

Of felony e, and al the compassyng. 
The crueel ire, reed as any gleede. 
The pykepurs, and eek the pale drede. 
The smyler with the knyfe under the cloke. 
The shepne brennynge with the blake smoke, 2000 

The tresoun of the mordrynge in the bedde, 

1996 al om. 1998 eek om. 



W 



THE KNYGHTES TALE 59 



L^ 



The open werre^ with woundes al bibledde^ 

Contek^ with blody knyf and sharp manace^ 

Al ful of chirkyng was that sory place. 

The sleer of hymself yet saugh I ther^ 2005 

His herte-blood hath bathed al his heer; 

The nayl ydryven in the shode a nyght^ 

The colde deeth^ with mouth gapyng upright. 

Amyddes of the temple sat Meschaunce^ 

With Disconfort and Sory Contenaunce. 2010 

Yet saugh I Woodnesse laughynge in his rage^ 

Armed Compleint^ Outhees^ and fiers Outrage; 

The careyne in the busk with throte ycorve^ 

A thousand slayn^ and nat of qualm ystorve^ 

The tiraunt with the pray by force yraft^ 2015 

The toun destroyed^ ther was nothyng laft. 

Yet saugh I brent the shippes hoppesteres^ 

The hunte strangled with the wilde beres^ 

The sowe freten the child right in the cradel_, 

The cook yscalded^ for al his longe ladel. 2020 

Noght was foryeten by the infortune of Marte^ 

The cartere over-ryden with his carte^ 

Under the wheel ful lowe he lay adoun. 

Ther were also^ of Martes divisioun^ 

The harbour^ and the bocher^ and the smyth 2025 

That forgeth sharpe swerdes on his styth. 

And al above_, depeynted in a tour^ 

Saugh I Conquest sittynge in greet honour^ 

With the sharpe swerd over his heed 

Hangynge by a soutil twyned threed. 2030 

Depeynted was the slaughtre of Julius^ 

Of grete Nero^ and of Antonius ; 

Al be that thilke tyme they were unborn^ 

Yet was hir deth depeynted therbiforn 

By manasynge of Mars^ right by figure; 2035 

So was it shewed in that portreiture^ 

2014 nat oon. 2025 barbour laborer 2030 twynes. 



60 



THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 



As is depeynted in the sterres above 

Who shal be slayn or elles deed for love. 

Suffiseth oon ensample in stories olde^ 

I may nat rekene hem alle though I wolde. 2040 

The statue of Mars upon a carte stood 
Armed^ and looked grym as he were wood^ 
And over his heed ther shynen two figures 
Of sterres^ that been cleped in scriptures 
That oon Puella^ that oother Rubeus. 2045 

This god of armes was arrayed thus: 
A wolf ther stood bif orn hym at his f eet^ 
With eyen rede^ and of a man he eet. 
With soutil pencel was depeynt this storie^ 
In redoutynge of Mars and of his glorie. 2050 

Now to the temple of Dyane the chaste 
As shortly as I kan I wol me haste^ 
To telle yow al the descripsioun. 
Depeynted been the walles up and doun 

Of huntyng and of shamefast chastitee. 2055 

Ther saugh I^ how woful Calistopee 
Whan that Diane agreved was with here^ 
Was turned from a womman til a bere^ 
And after was she maad the loode-sterre ; — 
Thus was it peynted^ I kan sey yow no ferre — 2060 

Hir sone is eek a sterre^ as men may see. 
Ther saugh I Dane^, ytmned til a tree^ 
I mene nat the goddesse Diane^ 
But Penneus doughter which that highte Dane. 
Ther saugh I Attheon an hert ymaked^, 2065 

For vengeaunce that he saugh Diane al naked. 
I saugh how that hise houndes have hym caught 
And freeten hym^ for that they knewe hym naught. 
Yet peynted was a litel forthermoor 

How Atthalante hunted the wilde boor^ 2070 

And Meleagree^ and many another mo^ 

2037 sterres certres. 2049 depeynted. 2069 teas om. 



THE KNYGHTES TALE 61 

For which Dyane wroghte hym care and wo. 

Ther saugh I many another wonder storie^ 

The whiche me list nat drawen to memorie. 

This goddesse on an hert ful hye seet^ 2075 

With smale houndes al aboute hir feet; 

And undernethe hir feet she hadde a moone^ 

Wexynge it was^ and sholde wanye soone. 

In gaude grene hir statue clothed was^ 

With bowe in honde_, and arwes in a cas. 2080 

Hir eyen caste she ful lowe adoun^ 

Ther Pluto hath his derke regioun. 

A womman travaillynge was hir bif orn ; 

But for hir child so longe was unborn 

Ful pitously Lucyna gan she calle^ 2085 

And seyde^ ''Help^ for thou mayst best of alle !'' 

Wei koude he peynten lyfly^ that it wroghte^ 

With many a floryn he the hewes boghte. 

Now been thise listes maad^ and Theseus^ 
That at his grete cost arrayed thus - 2090 

The temples^ and the theatre every deel^ 
Whan it was doon^ hym lyked wonder weel. — 
But stynte I wole of Theseus a lite^ 
And speke of Palamon and of Arcite. 

The day approcheth of hir retournynge^ 2095 

That everich sholde an hundred knyghtes brynge 
The bataille to darreyne^ as I yow tolde. 
And til Atthenes^ hir covenantz for to holde^ 
Hath everich of hem broght an hundred knyghtes^ 
Wei armed for the werre at alle rightes. 2100 

And sikerly^ ther trowed many a man_, 
That nevere sithen that the world bigan^ 
As for to speke of knyghthod of hir hond^ 
As fer as God hath maked see or lond^ 

Nas of so fewe so noble a compaignye. 2105 

For every wight that lovede chivalrye^ 

2075 ful wel. 2089 thise the. 



62 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

And wolde^ his thankes^ han a passant name^ 

Hath preyed that he myghte been of that game ; 

And wel was hym that therto chosen was. 

For if ther fille tomorwe swich a cas 2110 

Ye knowen wel_, that every lusty knyght 

That loveth paramours^ and hath his myght^ 

Were it in Engelond or elles where^ 

They wolde^ hir thankes_, wilnen to be there_, 

To fighte for a lady^ benedicitee ! 2115 

It were a lusty sighte for to see. 

And right so ferden they with Palamon^ 

With hym ther wenten knyghtes many on. 

Som wol ben armed in an haubergeoun^ 

In a bristplate^ and in a light gypoun^ 2120 

And somme woln have a paire plates large^ 

And somme woln have a Pruce sheeld^ or a targe, 

Somme woln ben armed on hir legges weel, 

And have an ax, and somme a mace of steel. 

Ther is no newe gyse, that it nas old; 2125 

Armed were they^ as I have yow told, 

Everych after his opinioun. 

Ther maistow seen comyng with Palamoun 

Lygurge hym-self, the grete kyng of Trace. 

Blak was his herd, and manly was his face, 2130 

The cercles of hise eyen in his heed. 

They gloweden bitwyxen yelow and reed. 

And lik a griiFon looked he aboute. 

With kempe heeris on hise browes stoute, 

Hise lymes grete, hise brawnes harde and stronge, 2135 

Hise shuldres brode, hise armes rounde and longe; 

And as the gyse was in his contree, 

Ful hye upon a chaar of gold stood he. 

With foure white boles in the trays. 

In stede of cote-armure, over his harnays 2140 

With nayles yelewe and brighte as any gold 

2108 preyd. 2120 a om. 2133 grifphon. 



THE KNYGHTES TALE 63 

He hadde a beres skyn^ colblak^ for-old; 

His longe heer was kembd bihynde his bak^ 

As any ravenes fethere it shoon for-blak. 

A wrethe of gold arm-greety of huge wighte^ 2145 

Upon his heed^ set ful of stones brighte^ 

Of fyne rubyes and of dyamauntz. 

Aboute his chaar ther wenten white alauntz_, 

Twenty and mo^ as grete as any steer^ 

To hunten at the leoun or the deer^ 2150 

And folwed hym_, with mosel faste ybounde^ 

Colored of gold^ and tourettes fyled rounde. 

An hundred lordes hadde he in his route^ 

Armed ful wel^ with hertes stierne and stoute. 

With Arcita^ in stories as men fynde^ 2155 

The grete Emetreus^ the kyng of Inde^ 
Upon a steede bay^ trapped in steel_, 
Covered in clooth of gold dyapred weel^ 
Cam ridynge lyk the god of armes^ Mars. 
His cote-armure was of clooth of Tars_,. 21 60 

Couched with perles white and rounde and grete. 
His sadel was of brend gold newe ybete ; 
A mantelet upon his shuldre hangynge 
Bret-ful of rubyes rede^ as fyr sparklynge. 
His crispe heer lyk rynges was yronne^ 21 65 

And that was yelow_, and glytered as the sonne. 
His nose was heigh^ hise eyen bright citryn_, 
Hise lippes rounde^ his colour was sangwyn ; 
A fewe frakenes in his face yspreynd^ 

Bitwixen yelow and somdel blak ymeynd^ 2170 

And as a leoun he his looking caste. 
Of f yve and twenty yeer his age I caste ; 
His herd was wel bigonne for to sprynge^ 
His voys was as a trompe thonderynge_, 

Upon his heed he wered of laurer grene 2175 

A gerland^ fressh and lusty for to sene. 

2163 mantel: shulder. 2164 Brat. 2174 thondringe. 



64 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Upon his hand he bar for his deduyt 

iVn egle tame^ as any lilye whyt. 

An hundred lordes hadde he with hym there^ 

Al armed^ save hir heddes^ in al hir gere^ 2180 

Ful riehely in alle maner thynges. 

For trusteth wel^ that dukes^ erles^ kynges^ 

Were gadered in this noble compaignye^ 

For love^ and for encrees of chivalrye. 

Aboute this kyng ther ran on every part 2185 

Ful many a tame leoun and leopard_, 

And in this wise thise lordes alle and some 

Been on the Sonday to the eitee come_, 

Aboute pryme_, and in the toun alight. 

This Theseus^ this duc^ this worthy knyght^ 2190 

Whan he had broght hem into his citee^ 

And inned hem^ everich in his degree^ 

He festeth hem^ and dooth so greet labour 

To esen hem and doon hem al honour^ 

That yet men weneth that no maner wit 2195 

Of noon estaat ne koude amenden it. 

The mynstraleye^ the service at the feeste^ 

The grete yiftes to the mooste and leeste^ 

The riche array of Theseus paleys^ 

Ne who sat first ne last upon the deys^ 2200 

What ladyes fairest been^ or best daunsynge^ 

Or which of hem kan dauncen best and synge_, 

Ne who moost felyngly speketh of love^ 

What haukes sitten on the perche above^ 

What houndes liggen in the floor adoun — 2205 

Of al this make I now no mencioun; 

But^ al thefFect^ that thynketh me the beste^ 

Now Cometh the pointy and herkneth if yow leste. 

The Sonday nyght_, er day bigan to sprynge^ 
Whan Palamon the larke herde synge^ 2210 

Al though it nere nat day by houres two_, 
Yet song the larke^ and Palamon also. 



I 



THE KNYGHTES TALE 65 

With hooly herte and with an heigh corage 

He roos^ to wenden on his pilgrymage^ 

Unto the blisful Cither ea benigne^ 2215 

I mene Venus^ honurable and digne. 

And in hir houre he walketh forth a pas 

Unto the lystes^ ther hire temple was^ 

And doun he kneleth^ with f ul humble cheer^ 

And herte soor^ and seyde in this manere. 2220 

"Faireste of faire^ O lady myn^ Venus^ 
Doughter to Jove^ and spouse of Vulcanus^ 
Thow glader of the Mount of Citheron^ 
For thilke love thow haddest to Adoon^ 

Have pitee of my bittre teeris smerte^ 2225 

And taak myn humble preyere at thyn herte. 
AUas^ I ne have no langage to telle 
ThefFectes^ ne the tormentz of myn helle ! 
Myn herte may myne harmes nat biwreye^ 
I am so confus that I kan noght seye. 2230 

But merey^ lady bright ! that knowest weele 
My thought^ and seest what harmes that I feele. 
Considere al this^ and rewe upon my soore^ 
As wisly^ as I shal for everemoore_, 

Emforth my myght^ thy trewe servant be^ 2235 

And holden werre alwey with chastitee. 
That make I myn avow^ so ye me helpe. 
I kepe noght of armes for to yelpe^ 
Ne I ne axe nat tomorwe to have victorie^ 
Ne renoun in this cas^ ne veyne glorie 2240 

Of pris of armes blowen up and doun^ 
But I wolde have fully possessioun 
Of Emelye^ and dye in thy servyse. 
Fynd thow the manere how^ and in what wyse — 
I recche nat^ but it may bettre be 2245 

To have victorie of hem^ or they of me — 
So that I have my lady in myne armes. 
For though so be^ that Mars is god of armes, 



66 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Youre vertu is so greet in hevene above 

That if yow list^ I slial wel have my love. 2250 

Thy temple wol I worshipe everemo^ 

And on thyn auter^ where I ride or go, 

I wol doon sacrifice and fires beete. 

And if ye wol nat so^ my lady sweete^ 

Thanne preye I thee^ tomorwe with a spere 2255 

That Arcita me thurgh the herte bere. 

Thanne rekke I noght^ whan I have lost my lyf^ 

Though that Arcita wynne hir to his wyf . 

This is thefFect and ende of my preyere^ 

Yif me my love^ thow blisful lady deere I" 2260 

Whan the orison was doon of Palamon^ 

His sacrifice he dide^ and that anon^ 

Ful pitously with alle circumstaunce ; 

Al telle I noght as now his observaunce. 

But atte laste^ the statue of Venus shook^ 2265 

And made a signe wherby that he took 

That his preyere accepted was that day. 

For thogh the signe shewed a delay^ 

Yet wiste he wel that graunted was his boone^ 

And with glad herte he wente hym hoom ful soone. 2270 

The thridde houre inequal_, that Palamon 
Bigan to Venus temple for to gon^ 
Up roos the sonne^ and up roos Emelye^ 
And to the temple of Dyane gan hye. 

Hir maydens that she thider with hir ladde^ 2275 

Ful redily with hem the fyr they ladde^ 
Thencens^ the clothes_, and the remenant al 
That to the sacrifice longen shal. 
The homes fuUe of meeth^ as was the gyse^ 
Ther lakked noght to doon hir sacrifise^ 2280 

Smokynge the temple^ ful of clothes faire. 
This Emelye^ with herte debonaire^ 
Hir body wessh with water of a welle — 
But how she dide hir ryte I dar nat telle^ 




THE KNYGHTES TALE 67 

But it be any thing in general; 2285 

And yet it were a game to heeren al^ 

To hym that meneth wel it were no charge^ 

But it is good a man been at his large. — 

Hir brighte heer was kempt untressed al^ 
A coroune of a grene ook cerial 2290 

Upon hir heed was set^ ful fair and meete. 
Two fyres on the auter gan she beete^ 
And dide hir thynges as men may biholde 
In Stace of Thebes^ and thise bookes olde. 
Whan kyndled was the fyr^ with pitous cheere 229 o 

Unto Dyane she spak as ye may heere. 

"O chaste goddesse of the wodes grene^ 
To whom bothe hevene and erthe and see is sene^ 
Queene of the regne of Pluto derk and lowe^ 
Goddesse of maydens^ that myn herte hast knowe 2300 

Ful many a yeer^ and woost what I desire^ 
As keep me fro thy vengeaunce and thyn ire^ 
That Attheon aboughte cruelly. 
Chaste goddesse_, wel wostow that I 

Desire to ben a mayden al my lyf , 2305 

Ne nevere wol I be no love ne wyf . 
I am^ thow woost^ yet of thy compaignye^ 
A mayde^ and love huntynge and venerye^ 
And for to walken in the wodes wilde^ 

And'noght to ben a wyf^ and be with childe. 2310 

Noght wol I knowe the compaignye of man ; 
Now helpe me^ lady^ sith ye may and kan^ 
For tho thre formes that thou hast in thee. 
And Palamon^ that hath swich love to me^ 
And eek Arcite^ that loveth me so sore^ 2315 

This grace I preye thee^ withoute moore^ 
As sende love and pees bitwixe hem two^ 
And fro me turne awey hir hertes so^ 
That al hir hoote love and hir desir^ 

2289 kempd. 2317 As And. 



68 



THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 



And al hir bisy torment and hir fir^ 

Be queynt^ or turned in another place. 

And if so be thou wolt do me no grace^ 

And if my destynee be shapen so 

That I shal nedes have oon of hem two^ 

As sende me hym that moost desireth me. 

Bihoold^ goddesse^ of clene chastitee^ 

The bittre teeris that on my chekes f alle. 

Syn thou art mayde and kepere of us alle^ 

My maydenhede thou kepe and wel conserve^ 

And whil I lyve a mayde^ I wol thee serve.'* 

The fires brenne upon the auter cleere^ 

Whil Emelye was thus in hir preyere ; 

But sodeynly she saugh a sighte queynte^ 

For right anon oon of the fyres queynte^ 

And quyked agayn^ and after that anon 

That oother fyr was queynt and al agon. 

And as it queynte_, it made a whistelynge 

As doon thise wete brondes in hir brennynge ; 

And at the brondes ende out ran anon 

As it were blody dropes many oon ; 

For which so soore agast was Emelye • 

That she was wel ny mad^ and gan to crye; 

For she ne wiste what it signyfied. 

But oonly for the feere thus hath she cried^ 

And weep that it was pitee for to heere ; 

And therwithal Dyane gan appeere^ 

With bowe in honde^ right as an hunteresse^ 

And seyde^ **Doghter^ stynt thyn hevynesse. 

Among the goddes hye it is afFermed^ 

And by eterne word writen and confermed^ 

Thou shalt ben wedded unto oon of tho 

That han for thee so muchel care and wo. 

But unto which of hem I may nat telle^ 

Farwel^ for I ne may no lenger dwelle. 

2337 whistlynge. 



2320 



2S25 



2330 



2335 



2340 



•2345 



2350 



I 



THE KNYGHTES TALE 69 

The iires whiche that on myn auter brenne 23 5 5 

Shule thee declaren^ er that thou go henne^ 

Thyn aventure of love^ as in this cas/' 

And with that word^ the arwes in the caas 

Of the goddesse clateren faste and rynge^ 

And forth she wente^ and made a vanysshynge^ 2360 

For which this Emelye astoned was^ 

And seyde^ "What amounteth this^ alias ! 

I putte me in thy proteccioun^ 

Dyane^ and in thy disposicioun !'' 

And hoom she goth anon the nexte weye. 2365 

This is thefFect^ ther is namoore to seye. 

The nexte houre of Mars folwynge this 
Arcite unto the temple walked is 
Of iierse Mars^ to doon his sacrifise 

With alle the rytes of his payen wyse. 2370 

With pitous herte and heigh devocioun 
Right thus to Mars he seyde his orisoun. 

'*0 stronge god^ that in the regnes colde 
Of Trace honoured art and lord yholde^ 

And hast in every regne and every lond 2375 

Of armes al the brydel in thyn hond^ 
And hem fortunest as thee lyst devyse^ 
Accepte of me my pitous sacrifise. 
If so be that my youthe may deserve^ 

And that my myght be worthy for to serve 2380 

Thy godhede^ that I may been oon of thyne^ 
Thanne preye I thee to rewe upon my pyne. 
For thilke peyne^ and thilke hoote fir^ 
In which thou whilom brendest for desir 

Whan that thow usedest the greet beautee 2385 

Of faire yonge fresshe Venus free^ 
And haddest hir in armes at thy wille — • 
Al though thee ones on a tyme mysfille 
Whan Vulcanus hadde caught thee in his las^ 

2356 declare. 2385 greet om. 



70 



THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 



And foond thee liggynge by his wyf^ alias !— 2390 

For thilke sorwe that was in thyn herte 

Have routhe as wel^ upon my peynes smerte ! 

I am yong and unkonnynge as thow woost^ 

And^ as I trowe^ with love offended moost 

That evere was any lyves creature; 2395 

For she that dooth me al this wo endure^ 

Ne receheth nevere wher I synke or fleete. 

And wel I woot^ er she me mercy heete^ 

I moot with strengthe wynne hir in the place. 

And wel. I woot^ withouten help or grace 2400 

Of thee^ ne may my strengthe noght availle. 

Thanne help me_, lord^ tomorwe in my bataille ! 

For thilke fyr that whilom brente thee^ 

As wel as thilke fyr now brenneth me^ 

And do that I tomorwe have victorie^ 2405 

Myn be the travaille and thyn be the glorie. 

Thy sovereyn temple wol I moost honouren 

Of any place^ and alwey moost labouren 

In thy plesaunce^ and in thy craftes stronge, 

And in thy temple I wol my baner honge^ 2410 

And alle the armes of my compaignye; 

And evere-mo^ unto that day I dye^ 

Eterne fir I wol biforn thee fynde. 

And eek to this avow I wol me bynde 

My beerd^ myn heer^ chat hongeth long adoun^ 2415 

That nevere yet ne felte ofFensioun 

Of rasour^ nor of shere^ I wol thee yeve^ 

And ben thy trewe servant whil I lyve. 

Now lord^ have routhe upon my sorwes soore; 

Yif me the victorie^ I aske thee namoore !" 2420 

The preyere stynt of Arcita the stronge ; 
The rynges on the temple dore that honge^ 
And eek the dores clatereden ful f aste^ 
Of which Arcita somwhat hym agaste. 
The fyres brenden upon the auter brighte^ 2425 



THE KNYGHTES TALE 71 

That it gan al the temple for to lighte^ 

And sweete smel the ground anon upyaf^ 

And Arcita anon his hand uphaf^ 

And moore encens into the fyr he caste^ 

With othere rytes mo^ and atte laste 2430 

The statue of Mars bigan his hauberk rynge^ 

And with that soun he herde a murmurynge^ 

Ful lowe and dym^ and seyde thus^ *Victorie !' 

For which he yaf to Mars honour and glorie ; 

And thus with joye and hope wel to fare^ 2435 

Arcite anon unto his in is f are^ 

As fayn as fowel is of the brighte sonne. 

And right anon swich strif ther is bigonne 
For thilke grauntyng in the hevene above 
Bitwixe Venus^ the Goddesse of Love^ 2440 

And Mars the stierne God armypotente^ 
That Jupiter was bisy it to stente ; 
Til that the pale Saturnus the colde^ 
That knew so manye of aventures olde^,^ 

Foond in his olde experience an art 2445 

That he ful soone hath plesed every part. 
As sooth is seyd^ elde hath greet avantage; 
In elde is bothe wysdom and usage; 
Men may the olde atrenne_, and noght atrede. 
Saturne anon^ to stynten strif and drede^ 2450 

Al be it that it is agayn his kynde_, 
Of al this strif he gan remedie fynde. 
**My deere doghter Venus/' quod Saturne^ 
**My cours^ that hath so wyde for to turne^ 
Hath moore power than woot any man. 2455 

Myn is the drenchyng in the see so wan^ 
Myn is the prison in the derke cote^ 
Myn is the stranglyng and hangyng by the throte^ 
The murmure^ and the cherles rebellyng. 
The groynynge^ and the pryvee empoysonyng. 2460 

2445 an and. 



72 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

I do vengeance and pleyn eorreecioun^ 

Whil I dwelle in the signe of the leoun. 

Myn is the ruyne of the hye halles^ 

The fallynge of the toures and of the walles 

Upon the mynour^ or the carpenter. 24<65 

I slow Sampsoun shakynge the piler^ 

And myne be the maladyes colde^ 

The derke tresons^ and the castes olde ; 

My lookyng is the fader of pestilence. 

Now weep namoore^ I shal doon diligence 2470 

That Palamon^ that is thyn owene knyght^ 

Shal have his lady^ as thou has him hight. 

Though Mars shal helpe his knyght^ yet nathelees 

Bitwixe yow ther moot be somtyme pees^ 

Al be ye noght of o compleccioun — 2475 

That causeth al day swich divsioun. 

I am thyn aiel^ redy at thy wille^ 

Weep now namoore^ I wol thy lust fulfille." 

Now wol I stynten of the goddes above^ 

Of Mars and of Venus^ goddesse of Love^ 2480 

And telle yow^ as pleynly as I kan^ 

The grete eiFect for which that I bygan. 

Explicit tercia pars. 
Sequitur pars quarta. 

Greet was the f eeste in Atthenes that day, 
And eek the lusty seson of that May 

Made every wight to been in such plesaunce 2485 

That al that Monday j usten they and daunce, 
And spenten it in Venus heigh servyse. 
And by the cause that they sholde ryse 
Eerly for to seen the grete fight, 

Unto hir reste wenten they at nyght. 2490 

And on the morwe, whan that day gan sprynge, 

2462 the (l) om. 



THE KNYGHTES TALE 73 

Of hors and harnevs^ noyse and claterynge 

Ther was in hostelryes al aboute. 

x\nd to the paleys rood ther many a route 

Of lordes^ upon steedes and palfreys. 2495 

Ther maystow seen divisynge of harneys 

So unkouth and so riche^ and wroght so weel^ 

Of goldsmythrye^ of browdynge^ and of steel; 

The sheeldes brighte^ testeres^ and trappures ; 

Gold-hewen helmes^ hauberkes^ cote-armures ; 2500 

Lordes in parementz on hir courseres^ 

Knyghtes of retenue and eek squieres^ 

Nailynge the speres^ and helmes bokelynge_, 

Giggynge of sheeldes^ with layneres lacynge. 

There as nede is^ they weren nothyng ydel. 2505 

The fomy steedes on the golden brydel 

Gnawynge^ and faste the armurers also 

With f yle and hamer prikynge to and fro ; 

Yemen on foote and communes many oon^ 

With shorte staves thikke as they may goon_, 2510 

Pypes^ trompes^ nakerers_, clariounes^ 

That in the bataille blowen blody sounes ; 

The paleys ful of peples up and doun^ 

Heere thre_, ther ten^ holdynge hir questioun^ 

Dyvynynge of thise Thebane knyghtes two. 2515 

Somme seyden thus^ somme seyde it shal be so_, 

Somme helden with hym with the blake berd^ 

Somme with the balled^ somme with the thikke-herd^ 

Somme seyde he looked grymme^ and he wolde fighte^ 

He hath a sparth of twenty pound of wighte^ 2520 

Thus was the halle ful of divynynge 

Longe after that the sonne gan to sprynge. 

The grete Theseus^ that of his sleep awaked 
With mynstralcie and noyse that was maked 
Heeld yet the chambre of his paleys riche^ 2525 

Til that the Thebane knyghtes^ bothe yliche 
Honured^ were into the paleys f et. 



74 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Due Theseus was at a wyndow set^ 

Arrayed^ right as he were a god in trone. 

The peple preesseth thiderward ful soone^ 2530 

Hym for to seen and doon heigh reverence. 

And eek to herkne his heste and his sentence. 

An heraud on a scaffold made an ''Oo V 

Til al the noyse of peple was ydo^ 

And whan he saugh the peple of noyse al stille^ 25S5 

Tho shewed he the myghty dukes wille. 

*'The lord hath of his heigh discrecioun 

Considered^ that it were destruccioun 

To gentil bloody to fighten in the gyse 

Of mortal bataille^ now in this emprise; 2540 

Wherfore^ to shapen that they shal nat dye^ 

He wolde his firste purpos modifye. 

No man therfore_, up peyne of los of lyf^ 

No maner shot^ ne polax^ ne short knyf 

Into the lystes sende^ ne thider brynge. 2545 

Ne short swerd for to stoke^ with poynt bitynge^ 

No man ne drawe^ ne bere by his syde ; 

Ne no man shal unto his f elawe ryde 

But o cours, with a sharpe ygrounde spere. 

Foyne if hym list on foote^ hym-self to were; 2550 

And he that is at meschief shal be take^ 

And noght slayn^ but be broght unto the stake 

That shal ben ordeyned on either syde^ 

But thider he shal by force^ and there abyde. 

And if so be the chevetayn be take 2555 

On outher syde^ or elles sleen his make^ 

No lenger shal the turneiynge laste. 

God spede you^ gooth f orth^ and ley on f aste ! 

With long swerd and with maces fight youre fille ; 

Gooth now youre wey^ this is the lordes wille.'' 2560 

The voys of peple touchede the hevene 
So loude cride they with murie stevene^ 

2544 ne (1) om. 2555 chieftayn. 2559 fighteth. 2561 touched. 



THE KNYGHTES TALE 75 

''God save swich a lord^ that is so good 

He wilneth no destruccion of blood." 

Up goon the trompes and the melodye^ 2565 

And to the lystes rit the compaignye^ 

By ordinance^ thurgh-out the citee large 

Hanged with clooth of gold^ and nat with sarge. 

Ful lik a lord this noble due gan ryde^ 

Thise two Thebanes upon either syde^ 2570 

And after rood the queene and Emelye^ 

And after that another compaignye^ 

Of oon and oother^ after hir degre ; 

And thus they passen thurgh-out the citee 

And to the lystes come they by tyme. 2575 

It nas nat of the day yet fully pryme 

Whan set was Theseus ful riche and hye^ 

Ypolita the queene^ and Emelye^ 

And othere ladys in degrees aboute. 

Unto the seettes preesseth al the route^ 2580 

And westward thurgh the gates under ^larte^ 

Arcite_, and eek the hondred of his parte^ 

With baner reed is entred right anon. 

And in that selve moment Palamon 

Is under Venus estward in the place^ 2585 

With baner whyt^ and hardy chiere and face. 

In al the world to seken up and doun 

So evene withouten variacioun 

Ther nere swiche compaignyes tweye ! 

For ther was noon so wys^ that koude seye 2590 

That any hadde of oother avauntage^ 

Of worthynesse ne of estaat ne age^ 

So evene were they chosen_, for to gesse. 

And in two renges faire they hem dresse^ 

Whan that hir names rad were everichon^ 2595 

That in hir nombre gyle were ther noon. 

Tho were the gates shet and cried was loude^ 

2570 Thebans. 2593 they om. 



76 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

*'Do now youre devoir^ yonge knyghtes proude V 

The heraudes lefte hir prikyng up and doun ; 

Now ryngen trompes loude and clarioun. 260.0 

Ther is namoore to seyn^ but west and est 

In goon the speres ful sadly in arrest^ 

In gooth the sharpe spore into the syde. 

Ther seen men who kan juste^ and who kan ryde^ 

Ther shyveren shaftes upon sheeldes thikke; 2605 

He f eeleth thufgh the herte-spoon the prikke. 

Up spryngen speres twenty foot on highte; 

Out gooth the swerdes as the silver brighte. 

The helmes they tohewen and toshrede^ 

Out brest the bloody with stierne stremes rede^ 2610 

With myghty maces the bones they tobreste. 

He thurgh the thikkeste of the throng gan threste ; 

Ther stomblen steedes stronge^ and doun gooth al ; 

He rolleth under foot as dooth a bal_, 

He foyneth on his feet with his tronchoun^ 2615 

And he hym hurtleth with his hors adoun. 

He thurgh the body is hurt and sithen ytake^ 

Maugree his heed^ and broght unto the stake^ 

As forward was_, right there he moste abyde ; 

Another lad is on that oother syde. 2620 

And som tyme dooth hem Theseus to reste^ 

Hem to refresshe^ and drynken if hem leste. 

Ful ofte a day han thise Thebanes two 

Togydre ymet^ and wroght his felawe wo. 

Unhorsed hath ech oother of hem tweye^ 2625 

Ther nas no tygre in the vale of Galgopheye 

Whan that hir whelp is stole^ whan it is lite_, 

So crueel on the hunte^ as is Arcite 

For jelous herte upon this Palamoun; 

Ne in Belmarye ther nys so fel leoun 2630 

That hunted is^ or for his hunger wood^ 

Ne of his praye desireth so the bloody 

2613 semblen. 2622 fresshen. 



THE KNYGHTES TALE 77 

As Palamoun to sleen his foo Arcite. 

The jelous strokes on hir helmes byte^ 

Out renneth blood on bothe hir sydes rede. 2635 

Som tyme an ende ther is of every dede; 
For er the sonne unto the reste wente^ 
The stronge kyng Emetreus gan hente 
This Palamon_, as he f aught with Arcite^ 
And made his swerd depe in his flessh to byte. 2640 

And by the force of twenty is he take 
Unyolden^ and ydrawe unto the stake. 
And in the rescous of this Palamoun 
The stronge kyng Lygurge is born adoun^ 
And kyng Emetreus^ for al his strengthen 264}5 

Is born out of his sadel a swerdes lengthe^ 
So hitte him Palamoun er he were take; 
But al for noght^ he was broght to the stake. 
His hardy herte myghte hym helpe naughty 
He moste abyde^ whan that he was caught^ 2650 

By f orce^ and eek by composicioun. , 
Who sorweth now but woful Palamoun^ 
That moot namoore goon agayn to fighte ? 
And whan that Theseus hadde seyn this sighte 
Unto the folk that foghten thus echon 2655 

He cryde^ "Hoo ! namoore^ for it is doon. 
I wol be trewe juge^ and no partie; 
Arcite of Thebes shal have Emelie^ 
That by his fortune hath hir faire ywonne V 
Anon ther is a noyse of peple bigonne 2660 

For joye of this so loude and heighe withalle 
It semed that the lystes sholde falle. 

What kan now faire Venus doon above .^ 
What seith she now^ what dooth this queene of Love^ 
But wepeth so^ for wantynge of hir wille^ 2665 

Til that hir teeres in the lystes fille. 
She seyde^ "I am ashamed^ doutelees.'' 

2643 rescus. 



78 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Saturnus seyde^ "Doghter_, hoold thy pees^ 

Mars hath his wille^ his knyght hath al his boone^ 

And^ by myn heed^ thow shalt been esed soone." 2670 

The trompes with the loude mynstralcie^ 
The heraudes that ful loude yoUe and erie. 
Been in hir wele for joye of Daun Arcite. 
But herkneth me^ and stynteth now a lite. 
Which a myraele ther bifel anon. 2675 

This fierse Arcite hath of his helm ydon, 
And on a courser for to shewe his face 
He priketh endelong the large place, 
Lokynge upward upon this Emelye, 

And she agayn hym caste a freendlich eye, 2680 

(For wommen, as to speken in commune. 
They folwen al the favour of Fortune) 
And she was al his chiere, as in his herte. 
Out of the ground a furie infernal sterte. 
From Pluto sent, at requeste of Saturne, 2685 

For which his hors for fere gan to turne. 
And leep aside and foundred as he leep. 
And er that Arcite may taken keep. 
He pighte hym on the pomel of his heed, 
That in the place he lay as he were deed, 2690 

His brest tobrosten with his sadel-bowe. 
As blak he lay as any cole or crowe. 
So was the blood yronnen in his face. 
Anon he was yborn out of the place. 

With herte soor, to Theseus paleys. 2695 

Tho was he korven out of his barneys. 
And in a bed ybrought ful faire and blyve, 
For he was yet in memorie and alyve. 
And alwey criynge after Emelye. 

Due Theseus, with al his compaignye, 2700 

Is comen hoom to Atthenes his citee. 
With alle blisse and greet solempnitee; 

2679 this om. 2681-2 om. 2683 she om. 



THE KNYGHTES TALE 79 

Al be it that this aventure was falle^ 

He nolde noght disconforten hem alle. 

Men seyde eek that Arcite shal nat dye^ 2705 

He shal been heeled of his maladye. 

And of another thyng they weren as fayn^ 

That of hem alle was ther noon yslajUy 

Al were they soore yhurt^ and namely oon^ 

That with a spere was thirled his brest-boon. 2710 

To othere woundes^ and to broken armes_, 

Somme hadden salves^ and somme hadden charmes^ 

Fermacies of herbes and eek save 

They dronken^ for they wolde hir lymes have. 

For which this noble due as he wel kan^ 2715 

Conforteth and honoureth every man^ 

And made revel al the longe nyght 

Unto the straunge lordes_, as was right. 

Ne ther was holden no diseonfitynge 

But as a justes or a tourneiynge^ 2720 

For soothly ther was no disconiiture — 

For fallyng nys nat but an aventure — ' 

Ne to be lad by force unto the stake 

Unyolden^ and with twenty knyghtes take^ 

O persone allone^ withouten mo^ 2725 

And haryed forth by arme^ foot^ and too^ 

And eke his steede dryven forth with staves^ 

With footmen^ bothe yemen and eek knaves^ 

It nas aretted hym no vileynye^ 

Ther may no man clepen it cowardye. 2730 

For which anon due Theseus leet crye^ 

To stynten alle rancour and envye^ 

The gree^ as wel of o syde as of oother^ 

And eyther syde ylik as ootheres brother^ 

And yaf hem yiftes after hir degree^ 2735 

And fully heeld a feeste dayes three_, 

i.\nd convoyed the kynges worthily 

2726 arm. 



80 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Out of his toun a journee^ largely; 

And hoom wente every man^ the righte way^ 

Ther was namoore but 'fare-wel^ have good day/ 2740 

Of this bataille I wol namoore endite^ 

But speke of Palamoun and of Arcyte. 

Swelleth the brest of Areite^ and the soore 
Encreesseth at his herte moore and moore. 
The clothered blood for any lechecraft 2745 

Corrupteth^ and is in his bouk ylaft^ 
That neither veyne-blood^ ne ventusynge^ 
Ne drynke of herbes may ben his helpynge. 
The vertu expulsif^ or animal^ 

Fro thilke vertu eleped natural 2750 

Ne may the venym voyden^ ne expelle. 
The pipes of his longes gonne to swelle^ 
And every lacerte in his brest adoun 
Is shent with venym and corrupcioun. 

Hym gayneth neither for to gete his lif 2755 

Vomyt upward^ ne dounward laxatif ; 
Al is tobrosten thilke regioun^ 
Nature hath now no dominaeioun. 
And certeinly^ ther Nature wol nat wirche^ 
Fare-wel phisik^ go ber the man to chirche ! 2760 

This al and som^ that Arcita moot dye ; 
For which he sendeth after Emelye 
And Palamon^ that was his cosyn deere. 
Thanne seyde he thus^ as ye shal after heere : 
''Naught may the woful spirit in myn herte 2765 

Declare o point of alle my sorwes smerte 
To yow^ my lady^ that I love moost. 
But I biquethe the servyce of my goost 
To yow aboven every creature, 

Syn that my lyf may no lenger dure^ 2770 

AUas^ the wo ! allas^ the peynes stronge 
That I for yow have suffred^ and so longe ! 
AUas^ the deeth ! allas^ myn Emelye ! 



THE KNYGHTES TALE 81 

AUas^ departynge of our compaignye ! 

AUas^ myn liertes queene ! allas^ my wyf ! 2775 

Myn hertes lady, endere of my lyf ! 

What is this world ? what asketh men to have ? 

Now with his love, now in his colde grave, 

Allone, withouten any compaignye. 

Fare-wel, my swete foo, myn Emelye, 2780 

And softe taak me in youre armes tweye, 

For love of God, and herkneth what I seye. 

'*I have heer with my eosyn Palamon 
Had strif and rancour many a day agon. 
For love of yow, and for my jalousye. 2785 

And Juppiter so wys my soule gye 
To speken of a servaunt proprely. 
With alle circumstances trewely. 
That is to seyn, trouthe, honour, and knyghthede, 
Wysdom, humblesse, estaat, and heigh kynrede, 2790 

Fredom, and al that longeth to that art. 
So Juppiter have of my soule part 
As in this world right now ne knowe I non 
So worthy to ben loved, as Palamon 

That serveth yow, and wol doon al his lyf; 2795 

And if that evere ye shul ben a wyf, 
Foryet nat Palamon, the gentil man/' 
And with that word his speche faille gan. 
And from his herte up to his brest was come 
The coold of deeth^ that hadde hym overcome. 2800 

And yet moreover in hise armes two 
The vital strengthe is lost and al ago. 
Oonly the intellect, withouten moore. 
That dwelled in his herte syk and soore 

Gan faillen, when the herte felte deeth. 2805 

Dusked hise eyen two, and f ailled breeth. 
But on his lady yet caste he his eye. 
His laste word was "mercy, Emelye I" 

2789 and om. 2801 for in. 



82 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

His spirit chaunged hous^ and wente ther 

As I cam never e^ I kan nat tellen wher^ 2810 

Therfore I stynte; I nam no divinistre^ 

Of soules fynde I nat in this registre^ 

Ne me ne list thilke opinions to telle 

Of hem^ though that they writen wher they dwelle. 

Arcite is coold^ ther Mars his soule gje: 2815 

Now wol I speken forth of Emelye. 

Shrighte Emelye^ and howleth Palamon^ 
And Theseus his suster took anon 
Swownynge^ and baar hir fro the corps away. 
What helpeth it to tarien forth the day 2820 

To tellen how she weep bothe eve and morwe ? 
For in swich cas wommen have swich sorwe 
Whan that hir housbond is from hem ago_, 
That for the moore part they sorwen so_, 
Or ellis fallen in swich malady e^ 2825 

That at the laste certeinly they dye. 
Infinite been the sorwes and the teeres 
Of olde folk^ and eek of tendre yeeres 
In al the toun^ for deeth of this Theban. 

For hym ther wepeth bothe child and man; 2830 

So greet a wepyng was ther noon^ certayn_, 
Whan Ector was ybroght al fressh yslayn 
To Troye_j allas_, the pitee that was ther ! 
Cracchynge of chekes^ rentynge eek of heer ; — 
"Why woldestow be deed^'' thise wommen crye^ 2835 

"And haddest gold ynough^ and Emelye.^'' 
No man myghte gladen Theseus_, 
Savynge his olde fader^ Egeus^ 
That knew this worldes transmutacioun, 

As he hadde seyn it chaungen up and doun^ 2840 

Joye after wo_, and wo after gladnesse^ 
And shewed hem ensamples and liknesse. 

"Right as ther dyed nevere man/' quod he^ 

2840 chaungen om. 



THE KNYGHTES TALE 83 

''That he ne lyvede in erthe in som degree^ 

Right so ther lyvede never man/' he seyde, 2845 

"In al this world that somtyme he ne deyde. 

This world nys but a thurghfare ful of wo^ 

And we been pilgrymes passynge to and fro. 

Deeth is an ende of every worldes soore/' 

And over al this yet seyde he muchel moore^ 2850 

To this effect ful wisely to enhorte 

The peple^ that they sholde hem reconforte. 

Due Theseus^ with al his bisy cure^ 
Caste now^ wher that the sepulture 

Of goode Arcite may best ymaked be_, 2855 

And eek moost honurable in his degree. 
And at the laste he took conclusioun 
That ther as first Arcite and Palamoun 
Hadden for love the bataille hem bitw^ene^ 
That in that selve grove swoote and grene 2860 

Ther as he hadde hise amorouse desires^ 
His compleynte^ and for love hise hoote fires 
He wolde make a fyr^ in which the office 
Funeral he myghte al accomplice ; 

And leet comande anon to hakke and hewe 2865 

The okes olde^ and leye hem on a rewe 
In colpons_, wel arrayed for to brenne. 
Hise officers with swifte feet they renne 
And ryden anon at his comandement; 

And after this Theseus hath ysent 2870 

After a beere^ and it al over-spradde 
With clooth of gold^ the richeste that he hadde. 
And of the same suyte he cladde Arcite^ 
Upon his hondes hadde he gloves white^ 

Eek on his heed a coroune of laurer grene^ 2875 

And in his bond a swerd ful bright and kene. 
He leyde hym bare the visage on the beere_, 
Ther-with he weep that pitee was to heere. 

2854 cast. 



84 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

And for the peple sholde seen hym alle^ 

Whan it was day^ he broghte hym to the halle^ 2880 ^ 

That roreth of the criyng and the soun. 

Tho cam this woful Theban^ Palamoun^ 

With flotery herd and rugged asshy heeres^ 

In clothes blake_, ydropped al with teeres^ 

And passynge othere of wepynge Emelye^ 2885 

The rewefuUeste of al the compaignye. 

In as muche as the servyce sholde be 

The moore noble and riche in his degree^ 

Due Theseus leet forth thre steedes brynge 

That trapped were in steel al gliterynge^ 2890 

And covered with the armes of daun Arcite. 

Upon thise steedes that weren grete and white 

Ther sitten folk^ of whiche oon baar his sheeld^ 

Another his spere up in his hondes heeld^ 

The thridde baar with hym his bowe Turkeys^ 2895 

Of brend gold was the caas^ and eek the barneys ; 

And riden forth a paas^ with sorweful cheere, 

Toward the grove^ as ye shul after heere. 

The nobleste of the Grekes that ther were 

Upon hir shuldres caryeden the beere. 2900 

With slakke paas^ and eyen rede and wete^ 

Thurghout the citee by the maister-strete^ 

That sprad was al with blak^ and wonder hye 

Right of the same is the strete ywrye. 

Upon the right bond wente olde Egeus^ 2905 

And on that oother syde due Theseus^ 

With vessel in hir hand of gold ful fyn^ 

Al ful of hony^ milk^ and bloody and wyn. 

Eek Palamon^ with ful greet compaignye^ 

And after that cam woful Emelye^ 2910 

With fyr in honde^ as was that tyme the gyse^ 

To do the office of funeral servyse. 

Heigh labour^ and ful greet apparaillynge^ 

2892 that weren om. 2894 up om. 2901 slak. 



THE KNYGHTES TALE 85 

Was at the service and the fyr makynge^ 

That with his grene top the heven raughte^ 2915 

And twenty fadme of brede the armes straughte; 

This is to seyn^ the bowes weren so brode. 

Of stree first ther was leyd ful many a lode^ 

But how the fyr was maked upon highte^ 

Ne eek the names that the trees highte^ 2920 

As^ ook^ firre^ birch^ aspe^ alder^ holm^ popeler^ 

Wylugh^ elm^ plane^ assh^ box^ chasteyn^ lynde^ laurer^ 

Mapul^ thorn^ bech^ hasel^ ew_, whippeltre^ 

How they weren fild shal nat be toold for me^ 

Ne how the goddes ronnen up and doun 2925 

Disherited of hir habitacioun^ 

In whiche they woneden in reste and pees^ 

Nymphes^ Fawnes^^ and Amadrides; 

Ne how the beestes and the briddes alle 

Fledden for fere^ whan the wode was falle; 2930 

Ne how the ground agast was of the lights 

That was nat wont to seen the sonne bright ; 

Ne how the fyr was couched first with stree^ 

And thanne with drye stokkes cloven a thre^ 

And thanne with grene wode and spicerye_, 2935 

And thanne with clooth of gold and with perrye^ 

And gerlandes hangynge with ful many a flour^ 

The mirre^ thencens_, with al so greet odour; 

Ne how Arcite lay among al this^ 

Ne what richesse aboute his body isy 2940 

Ne how that Emelye^ as was the gyse^ 

Putte in the fyr of funeral servyse ; 

Ne how she swowned whan men made the fyr^ 

Ne what she spak^ ne what was hir desir^ 

Ne what jeweles men in the fyr caste^ 29^5 

Whan that the fyr was greet and brente f aste ; 

Ne how somme caste hir sheeld^ and somme hir spere^ 

And of hire vestimentz whiche that they were_, 

2915 raughte om. 2943 the om. 



86 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

And coppes full of wjn, and milk^ and bloody 

Into the iyr, that brente as it were wood^ 2950 

Ne how the Grekes^ with an huge route^ 

Thryes riden al the place aboute^ 

Upon the left hand with a loud shoutynge^ 

And thries with hir speres claterynge^ 

And thries how the ladyes gonne crye^ 2955 

And how that lad was homward Emelye ; 

Ne how Areite is brent to asshen colde^ 

Ne how that lychewake was yholde 

Al thilke nyght^ ne how the Grekes pleye 

The wakepleyes ne kepe I nat to seye^ 2960 

Who wrasleth best naked^ with oille enoynt^ 

Ne who that baar hym best in no dis j oynt ; 

I wol nat tellen eek^ how that they goon 

Hoom til Atthenes^ whan the pley is doon ; 

But shortly to the point thanne wol I wende^ 2965 

And maken of my longe tale an ende. 

By processe^ and by lengthe of certeyn yeres^ 
Al stynted is the moornynge and the teres 
Of Grekes^ by oon general assent. 

Thanne semed me ther was a parlement 2970 

At Atthenes^ upon certein pointz and caas^ 
Among the whiche pointz yspoken was 
To have with certein contrees alliaunce^ 
And have fully of Thebans obeisaunce^ 

For which this noble Theseus anon 2975 

Leet senden after gentil Palamon^ 
Unwist of hym what was the cause and why. 
But in hise blake clothes sorwefully 
He cam at his comandement in hye; 

Tho sente Theseus for Emelye. 2980 

Whan they were set^ and hust was al the place^ 
And Theseus abiden hadde a space 
Er any word cam fram his wise brest^ 

2952 Tries. 



THE KNYGHTES TALE 



87 



Hise eyen sette he ther as was his lest^ 

And with a sad visage he siked stille^ 2985 

And after that right thus he seyde his wille. 

''The firste moevere of the cause above 
Whan he first made the faire cheyne of love^, 
Greet was theffect^ and heigh was his entente; 
Wei wiste he^ why^ and what ther of he mente^ 2990 

For with that faire cheyne of love he bond 
The fyr_, the eyr_, the water^ and the lond^ 
In certeyn boundes that they may nat flee. 
That same prince and that same moevere/' quod he^ 
**Hath stablissed in this wrecched world adoun 2995 

Certeyne dayes and duracioun 
To al that is engendred in this place^ 
Over the whiche day they may nat pace ; 
Al mowe they yet tho dayes wel abregge^ 
Ther nedeth noght noon auctoritee allegge^ 3000 

For it is preeved by experience — 
But that me list declaren my sentence. 
Thanne may men by this ordre wel discerne 
That thilke moevere stable is and eterne. 
Wel may men knowe_, but it be a fool^ 3005 

That every part deryveth from his hool; 
For nature hath nat taken his bigynnyng 
Of no partie nor cantel of a thyng^ 
But of a thyng that parfit is and stable^ 

Descendynge so til it be corrumpable; 3010 

And therfore^ of his wise purveiaunce^ 
He hath so wel biset his ordinaunce^ 
That speces of thynges and progressiouns 
Shullen enduren by successiouns^ 

And nat eterne_, withouten any lye. 3015 

This maystow understonde and seen at eye. 
Lo the ook^ that hath so long a norisshynge 
From tyme that it first bigynneth sprynge^ 

2998 which. 3006 dirryueth. 3007 nat om. 3008 or of. 3016 at it. 



88 



THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 



And hath so long a lif^ as we may see. 

Yet at the laste wasted is the tree. 3020 

Considereth eek^ how that the harde stoon 

Under oure f eet^ on which we trede and goon, 

Yit wasteth it, as it lyth by the weye. 

The brode ryver somtyme wexeth dreye. 

The grete toures se we wane and wende, 3025 

Thanne may ye se that al this thyng hath ende. 

Of man and womman seen we wel also, 

That nedeth, in oon of thise termes two, 

This is to seyn, in youthe or elles age. 

He moot be deed, the kyng as shal a page. 3030 

Som in his bed, som in the depe see, 

Som in the large f eeld, as men may se ; 

Ther helpeth noght, al goth that ilke weye, 

Thanne may I seyn that al this thyng moot deye. 

What maketh this, but Juppiter the kyng, 3035 

That is prince and cause of alle thyng 

Convertyng al unto his propre welle 

From which it is deryved, sooth to telle. 

And heer agayns no creature on lyve 

Of no degree availleth for to stryve. 3040 

Thanne is it wysdom, as it thynketh me. 

To maken vertu of necessitee. 

And take it weel, that we may nat eschue ; 

And namely, that to us alle is due. 

And who so gruccheth ought, he dooth folye, 3045 

And rebel is to hym that al may gje. 

And certeinly, a man hath moost honour 

To dyen in his excellence and flour, 

Whan he is siker of his goode name, 

Thanne hath he doon his freend ne hym no shame. 3050 

And gladder oghte his freend been of his deeth. 

Whan with honour upyolden is his breeth. 

Than whan his name apalled is for age ; 

3034 that om. 3038 dirryued. 



THE KNYGHTES TALE 89 

P'or al forgeten is his vassellage. 

Thanne is it best as for a worthy fame, 3055 

To dyen whan that he is best of name. 

The contrarie of al this is wilfulnesse: 

Why grucchen heere his cosyn and his wyf 

That goode Arcite, of chivalrie flour. 

Departed is with duetee and honour 3060 

Out of this foule prisoun of this lyf ? 

Why grucchen heere his cosyn and his wyf 

Of his welfare, that loved hem so weel? 

Kan he hem thank ? Nay, God woot never a deel ! 

That bothe his soule and eek hemself offende, 3065 

And yet they mowe hir lustes nat amende. 

What may I concluden of this longe serye, 
But after wo I rede us to be merye, 
And thanken Juppiter of al his grace? 

And er that we departen from this place 3070 

I rede that we make, of sorwes two, 
O parfit joye lastyng everemo. 
And looketh now, wher moost sorwe is her inne, 
Ther wol we first amenden and bigynne. 

"Suster,'' quod he, ''this is my fulle assent, 3075 

With all thavys heere of my parlement. 
That gentil Palamon thyn owene kynght. 
That serveth yow with wille, herte, and myght. 
And evere hath doon, syn that ye first hym knewe, 
That ye shul of your grace upon hym rewe, 3080 

And taken hym for housbonde and for lord. 
Lene me youre hond, for this is oure accord. 
Lat se now of youre wommanly pitee ; 
He is a kynges brother sone^ pardee. 

And though he were a povre bacheler, 3085 

Syn he hath served yow so many a yeer. 
And had for yow so greet adversitee. 
It moste been considered, leeveth me, 

3071 that om. 



90 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

For gentil mercy oghte to passen right/' 

Thanne seyde he thus to Palamon ful right: 3090 

**I trowe ther nedeth litel sermonyng 

To make yow assente to this thyng. 

Com neer^ and taak youre lady by the hond." 

Bitwixen hem was maad anon the bond 
That highte matrimoigne^ or mariage^ 3095 

By al the conseil and the baronage. 
And thus with alle blisse and melodye 
Hath Palamon ywedded Emelye; 
And God^ that al this wyde world hath wroght^ 
Sende hym his love that hath it deere aboght! 3100 

For now is Palamon in alle wele^ 
Lyvynge in blisse^ in richesse^, and in heele^ 
And Emelye hym loveth so tendrely^ 
And he hir serveth al so gentilly^ 

That nevere was ther no word hem bitwene, 3105 

Of jalousie^ or any oother teene. 
Thus endeth Palamon and Emelye^ 
And God save al this f aire compaignye ! — Amen — 

Heere is ended the hnyghtes tale, 

3100 hath om. 3104 al om. 



I PROLOGUE TO THE MILLERES 

TALE 

Heere folwen the wordes hitwene the Hoost and the Millere 

Whan that the Knyght had thus his tale ytoold^ 
In al the route ne was ther yong ne oold 3110 

That he ne seyde it was a noble storie^ 
And worthy for to drawen to memorie ; 
And namely the gentils everichon. 
Oure Hooste lough_, and swoor_, ''So moot I gon^ 
This gooth aright^ unbokeled is the male^ 3115 

Lat se now who shal telle another tale^ 
For trewely the game is wel bigonne. 
Now telleth on^ sir Monk^ if that ye konne 
Somwhat to quite with the Knyghtes tale." 
The Miller that for-dronken was al pale^ 3120 

So that unnethe upon his hors he sat^ 
He nolde avalen neither hood ne hat_, 
Ne abyde no man for his eurteisie^ 
But in Pilates voys he gan to crie^ 

And swoor by armes and by blood and bones^ 3125 

"I kan a noble tale for the nones^ 
With which I wol now quite the Knyghtes tale/* 
Oure Hooste saugh that he was dronke of ale^ 
And seyde^ "Abyd^ Robyn^ my leeve brother^ 
Som bettre man shal telle us first another^ 3130 

Abyde^ and lat us werken thriftily/' 
"By Goddes soule_,'' quod he^ ''that wol nat I^ 
For I wol speke^ or elles go my wey/' 
Oure Hoost answerde^ "Tel on^ a devele wey ! 
Thou art a fool^ thy wit is overcome! 3135 

3114, 3128, Hoost. 



92 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

''Now herkneth/' quod the Miller^ ''alle and some^ 

But first I make a protestacioun 

That I am dronke^ I knowe it by my soun ; 

And therfore^ if that I mysspeke or seye^ 

Wyte it the ale of Southwerk I you preye. 3140 

For I wol telle a legende and a lyf 

Bothe of a carpenter and of his wyf^ 

How that a clerk hath set the wrightes cappe/' 

The Reve answerde and seyde^ ''Stynt thy clappe^ 

Lat be thy lewed dronken harlotry e^ 3145 

It is a synne and eek a greet folye 

To apeyren any man or hym defame^ 

And eok to bryngen wy ves in swich fame ; 

Thou mayst ynogh of othere thynges seyn/' 

This dronke Miller spak ful soone ageyn^ 3150 

And seyde^ 'Xeve brother Osewold^ 

Who hath no wyf^ he is no cokewold. 

But I sey nat therfore that thou art oon, 

Ther been ful goode wyves many oon^ 

And evere a thousand goode ayeyns oon badde; 3155 

That knowestow wel thyself^ but if thou madde. 

Why artow angry with my tale now? 

I have a wyf^ pardee^ as wel as thow^ 

Yet nolde I for the oxen in my plogh 

Take upon me moore than ynogh^ 3l60 

As demen of myself that I were oon ; 

I wol bileve wel^ that I am noon. 

An housbonde shal nat been inquisityf 

Of Goddes pryvetee^ nor of his wyf. 

So he may fynde Goddes foysoun there^ 3165 

Of the remenant nedeth nat enquere/' 

What sholde I moore seyn^ but this Miller 

He nolde his wordes for no man forbere^ 

But tolde his cherles tale in his manere ; 

Me thynketh that I shal reherce it heere. 3170 

3140 you om. 



PROLOGUE TO MILLERES TALE 9S 

And therfore every gentil wight I preye^ 

For Goddes love^ demeth nat that I seye 

Of yvel entente^ but that I moot reherce 

Hir tales alle_, be they bettre or werse^ 

Or elles falsen som of my mateere. 3175 

And therfore who-so list it nat yheere^ 

Turne over the leef^ and chese another tale; 

For he shal fynde ynowe^ grete and smale^ 

Of storial thyng that toucheth gentillesse^ 

And eek moralitee^ and hoolynesse. 3180 

Blameth nat me if that ye chese amys ; 

The Miller is a cherl^ ye knowe wel this^ 

So was the Reve^ and othere manye mo^ 

And harlotrie they tolden bothe two. 

Avyseth yow^ and put me out of blame^ 3185 

And eek men shal nat maken ernest of game. 

3184 putteth. 



THE TALE. 

[One John^ a rich and credulous carpenter of Oxford^ is 
beguiled by his wife Alison^ through Nicholas^ a poor 
scholar boarding with them. Absolon^ the parish clerk^ is 
slighted by Alison; but wreaks vengeance on Nicholas.] 



PROLOGUE TO THE REVES TALE 

The prologe of the Reves Tale, 

Whan folk hadde laughen at this nyce cas 3855 

Of Absolon and hende Nicholas^ 
Diverse folk diversely they seyde^ 
But for the moore part they loughe and pleyde^ 
Ne at this tale I saugh no man hym greve^ 
But it were oonly Osewold the Reve 3860 

Bycause he was of carpenteres crafty 
A litel ire is in his herte ylaf t ; 
He gan to grucche^ and blamed it a lite. 
*'So theek^'' quod he_, *'ful wel koude I yow quite^ 
With bleryng of a proud miller es eye^ 3865 

If that me liste speke of ribaudye. 
But ik am oold^ me list no pley for age^ 
Gras-tyme is doon^ my fodder is now forage^ 
This white top writeth myne olde yeris, 

Myn herte is also mowled as myne heris^ 3870 

But if I fare as dooth an openers ; 
That ilke fruyt is ever leng the wers^ 
Til it be roten in muUok or in stree. 
We olde men^ I drede^ so fare we^ 

Til we be roten kan we nat be rype. 3875 

We hoppen ay whil that the world wol pype^ 
For in oure wyl ther stiketh evere a nayl 
To have an hoor heed and a grene tayl^ 
As hath a leek^ for thogh oure myght be goon^ 
Oure wyl desireth folie evere in oon. 3880 

For whan we may nat doon^ than wol we speke^ 
Yet in oure asshen olde is fyr yreke. 
Foure gleedes han we whiche I shal devyse^ 
Avauntyng^ lijng, anger^ coveitise; 

3870 mowled also. 



PROLOGUE TO THE REVES TALE 95 

Thise foure sparkles longen unto eelde. 3885 

Oure olde lemes mowe wel been unweelde^ 

But wyl ne shal nat faillen^ that is sooth. 

And yet ik have alwey a coltes toothy 

As many a veer as it is passed henne 

Syn that my tappe of lif bigan to renne. 3890 

For sikerly whan I was bore^ anon 

Deeth drough the tappe of lyf^ and leet it gon, 

x\nd ever sithe hath so the tappe yronne^ 

Til that almoost al empty is the tonne. 

The streem of lyf now droppeth on the chymbe; 3895 

The sely tonge may wel rynge and chymbe 

Of wrecchednesse that passed is ful yoore. 

With olde folk^ save dotage^ is namoore.'' 

Whan that oure Hoost hadde herd this sermonyng^ 
He gan to speke as lordly as a kyng^ 3900 

He seide^ "What amounteth al this wit.^ 
What shul we speke alday of hooly writ.^ 
The devel made a reve for to preche_, 
And of a soutere^ shipman^ or a leche. 

Sey forth thy tale^ and tarie nat the tyme. 3905 

Lo Depeford^ and it is half-wey pryme ; 
Lo^ Grenewych^ ther many a shrewe is inne ; 
It were al tyme thy tale to bigynne.'' 

''Now sires/' quod this Osewold the Reve^ 
''I pray yow alle^ that ye nat yow greve^ 3910 

Thogh I answere^ and somdeel sette his howve^ 
For leveful is with force force of-showve. 

This dronke Millere hath ytoold us heer^ 
How that bigyled was a Carpenteer^ 

Peraventure in scorn^ for I am oon; 3915 

And by youre lere I shal hym quite anoon. 
Right in his cherles termes wol I speke^ 
I pray to God his nekke mote breke ! 
He kan wel in myn eye seen a stalke^ 
But in his owene he kan nat seen a balke.'' 3920 



96 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

THE TALE. 

[Simkin^ a rich thieving miller of Trumpington Mill, near 
Cambridge, is well served by two Cambridge clerks of the 
north country, who beguile his wife and daughter, recover 
the stolen meal which he had hid, and leave him well 
beaten.] 



THE PROLOGUE TO THE COKES 
TALE. 

The prologe of the Cokes Tale. 

The Cook of London^ whil the Reve spak^ 4325 

For joye him thoughte^ he clawed him on the bak. 
''Ha ! ha l" quod he^ "for Cristes passioun^ 
This miller hadde a sharp conclusioun 
Upon his argument of herbergage. 

Wei seyde Salomon in his langage^ 4330 

'Ne brynge nat every man into thyn hous_,' 
For herberwynge by nyghte is perilous. 
Wei oghte a man avysed for to be^ 
Whom that be broghte into his pryvetee. 
I pray to God so yeve me sorwe and care^ 4335 

If evere sitthe I highte Hogge of Ware_, 
Herde I a millere bettre yset awerk. 
He hadde a jape of malice in the derk. 
But God forbede that we stynte heere^ 

And therfore^ if ye vouche-sauf to heere 4340 

A tale of me that am a povre man^ 
I wol yow telle^ as wel as evere I kan_, 
A litel jape that fil in oure citee/' 
Oure Hoost answerde and seide^ *'I graunte it thee^ 
Now telle on^ Roger^ looke that it be good^ 4345 

For many a pastee hastow laten bloody 
And many a Jakke of Dovere hastow soold 
That hath been twies hoot and twies cold. 
Of many a pilgrim hastow Cristes curs^ 

For of thy percely yet they fare the wors^ 4350 

That they han eten with thy stubbel-goos^ 
For in thy shoppe is many a flye loos. 

4325 whil that. 



98 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Now telle on^ gentil Roger^ by thy name^ 

But yet I pray thee_, be nat wroth for game^ 

A man may seye ful sooth in game and pley." 4355 

''Thou seist ful sooth/' quod Roger^ *'by my fey; 

But 'sooth pley quaad pley/ as the Flemyng seith. 

And ther-fore^ Herry Bailly^ by thy feith^ 

Be thou nat wrooth^ er we departen heer^ 

Though that my tale be of an hostileer. 4360 

But nathelees I wol nat telle it yit^ 

But er we parte^ ywis^ thou shalt be quit/' 

And ther-with-al he lough and made cheere^ 

And seyde his tale_, as ye shul after heere. 

4359 na. 



THE TALE (Unfinished). 

[Perkin^ a London apprentice^ being dismissed by his 
master^ seeks his companions in dice^ revel and disport.] 



GROUP B. 

PROLOGUE OF THE MAN OF 
LAWE. 

The wordes of the Hoost to the compaignye, 

Oure Hooste saugh wel that the brighte sonne 
The ark of his artificial day hath ronne 
The f erthe part^ and half an houre and moore ; 
And though he were nat depe expert in loore^ 
He wiste it was the eightetethe day 5 

Of Aprill^ that is messager to May; 
And saugh wel^ that the shadwe of every tree 
Was as in lengthe the same quantitee 
That was the body erect that caused it^ 

And therfore by the shadwe he took his wit 10 

That Phebus_, which that shoon so clere and brighte. 
Degrees was fyve and fourty clombe on highte; 
And for that day^ as in that latitude^ 
It was ten at the clokke^ he gan conclude_, 
And sodeynly he plighte his hors aboute. — 15 

'*Lordynges/' quod he, **I warne yow, al this route. 
The fourthe party of this day is gon. 
Now for the love of God and of Seint John, 
Leseth no tyme, as f erf orth as ye may. 

Lordynges, the tyme wasteth nyght and day, 20 

And steleth from us, what pryvely slepynge. 
And what thurgh necligence in oure wakynge. 
As dooth the streem, that turneth nevere agayn, 
Descendyng fro the montaigne into playn. 
1 hoost. 4 expert ystert. 5 eighte and twentithe. 



100 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Wei kan Senec and many a philosophre 25 

Biwaillen tjme, moore than gold in cofre. 

'For losse of catel may recovered be^ 

But losse of tyme shendeth us/ quod he. 

It wol nat come agayn^ withouten drede^ 

Namoore than wole Malkynes maydenhede^ 30 

Whan she hath lost it in hir wantownesse. 

Lat us nat mowlen thus in ydelnesse ; 

Sir- man of lawe/' quod he^ "so have ye blis^ 

Telle us a tale anon_, as forward is. 

Ye been submytted thurgh youre free assent 35 

To stonden in this cas at my juggement. 

Acquiteth yow as now of youre biheeste^ 

Thanne have ye do youre devoir atte leeste/' 

"Hooste^" quod he_, "depardieux ich assente^ 
To breke forward is nat myn entente. 40 

Biheste is dette^ and I wole holde fayn 
Al my biheste^ I kan no bettre sayn. 
For swich lawe as a man yeveth another wight^ 
He sholde hymselven usen it by right; 

Thus wole oure text^ but nathelees certeyn 45 

I kan right now no thrifty tale seyn; 
But Chaucer^ thogh he kan but lewedly 
On metres and on rymyng craftily^ 
Hath seyd hem in swich Englissh as he kan_, 
Of olde tyme^ as knoweth many a man. 50- 

And if he have noght seyd hem^ leve brother^ 
In o book^ he hath seyd hem in another. 
For he hath toold of loveris up and doun 
Mo than Ovide made of mencioun^ 

In hise Episteles that been ful olde; 55 

W^hat sholde I tellen hem^ syn they ben tolde.^ 
In youthe he made of Ceys and Alcione^ 
And sitthen hath he spoken of everichone 
Thise noble wyves and thise loveris eke. 

37 as om. 39 Hoost. 47 But That. 55 epistles. 56 telle. 



PROLOGUE TO THE MAN OF LAWE 101 

Whoso that wole his large volume seke 60 

Cleped the Seintes Legende of Cupide^ 

Ther may he seen the large woundes wyde 

Of Lucresse^ and of Babilan Tesbee^ 

The swerd of Dido for the false Enee^ 

The tree of Phillis for hir Demophon^ 65 

The pleinte of Dianire and Hermyon^ 

Of Adriane and of Isiphilee^ 

The bareyne yle stondynge in the see^ 

The dreynte Leandre for his Erro^ 

The teeris of Eleyne^ and eek the wo 70 

Of Brixseyde^ and of the_, Ladomea^ 

The crueltee of the^ queene Medea^ 

Thy litel children hangyng by the hals 

For thy Jason^ that was in love so fals. 

O Ypermystra^ Penolopee^ Alceste^ 75 

Youre wyf hede he comendeth with the beste ! 

But certeinly no word ne writeth he 

Of thilke wikke ensample of Canacee^ 

That loved hir owene brother synfully — 

Of swiche cursed stories I sey fy ! — 80 

Or ellis of Tyro Appollonius^ 

How that the cursed kyng Antiochus 

Birafte his doghter of hir maydenhede^ 

That is so horrible a tale for to rede^ 

Whan he hir threw upon the pavement. 85 

And therfore he_, of ful avysement_, 

Nolde nevere write^ in none of his sermouns^ 

Of swiche unkynde abhomynaciouns ; 

Ne I wol noon reherce_, if that I may. 

But of my tale how shall I doon this day.^ 90 

Me were looth be likned^ doutelees^ 

To Muses that men clepe Pierides — 

Methamorphosios woot what I mene — 

But nathelees^ I recche noght a bene 

66 Diane and of. 70 eek om. 71 of om. 



102 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Though I come after hym with hawebake^ 95 

I speke in prose^ and lat him rymes make/' 
And with that word he^ with a sobre eheere^ 
Bigan his tale^ as ye shal after heere. 



THE TALE OF THE MAN OF LAWE. 

The Prologe of the Mannes Tale of Larve, 

O hateful harm^ condicion of poverte ! 
With thurst^ with coold^ with hunger so conf oundid ! 100 

To asken help thee shameth in thyn herte^ 
If thou noon aske^ so soore artow ywoundid 
That verray nede unwrappeth al thy wounde hid; 
Maugree thyn heed thou most for indigence 
Or stele^ or begge^ or borwe thy despence ! 105 

Thow blamest Crist_, and seist ful bitterly 

He mysdeparteth richesse temporal. 

Thy neighebore thou wytest synfuUy^ 

And seist thou hast to lite and he hath al. 

'Tarfay!'' seistow^ "somtyme he rekene shal^ 110 

Whan that his tayl shal brennen in the gleede^ 

For he noght helpeth needfulle in hir neede.'' 

Herkne what is the sentence of the wise^ 

*'Bet is to dyen than have indigence." 

Thy selve neighebor wol thee despise^ 115 

If thou be povre^ f arwel thy reverence ! 

Yet of the wise man take this sentence^ 

*'Alle daj^es of povre men been wikke;'' 

Be war therfore^ er thou come to that prikke. 

If thou be povre^ thy brother hateth thee^ 120 

And alle thy f reendes fleen from thee ; allas^ 
O riche marchauntz^ ful of wele been yee ! 
O noble^ o prudent folk^ as in this cas ! 
Youre bagges been nat fild with ambes as^ 
But with sys cynk^ that renneth for youre chaunce^ 125 

At Cristemasse myrie may ye daunce ! 
113 Herke. 



104 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Ye seken lond and see for your wynnynges^ 

As wise folk ye knowen all thestaat 

Of regnes ; ye been f adres of tydynges 

And tales^ bothe of pees and of debaat. 130 

I were right now of tales desolaat 

Nere that a marchant_, goon is many a yeere^ 

Me taughte a tale^ which that ye shal heere. 



Heere hegynneth the Man of Lawe his Tale, 

In Surrye whilom dwelte a compaignye 
Of chapmen riche^ and therto sadde and trewe, 135 

That wyde-where senten hir spicerye^ 
Clothes of gold^ and satyns riche of hewe. 
Hir chafFare was so thrifty and so newe 
That every wight hath deyntee to chafFare 
With hem^ and eek to sellen hem hir ware. 140 

Now ill it^ that the maistres of that sort 

Han shapen hem to Rome for to wende ; 

Were it for chapmanhode^ or for disport^ 

Noon oother message wolde they thider sende^ 

But comen hemself to Rome^ this is the ende^ 145 

And in swich place as thoughte hem avantage 

For hir entente^ they take hir herbergage. 

Soj ourned han thise Marchantz in that toun 

A certein tyme_, as fil to hire plesance. 

And so bifel^ that thexcellent renoun 150 

Of the Emperoures doghter^ Dame Custance^ 

Reported was^ with every circumstance 

Unto thise Surryen marchantz in swich wyse 

Fro day to day^ as I shal yow devyse. 

151 Emperours. 153 a wyse. 



THE TALE OF THE MAN OF LAWE 105 

This was the commune voys of every man: 155 

**Oure Emperour of Rome^ God hym see^ 

A doghter hath^ that syn the world bigan^ 

To rekene as wel hir goodnesse as beautee^ 

Nas nevere swich another as is shee. 

I prey to God in honour hir sustene l60 

And wolde she were of all Europe the queene ! 

In hir is heigh beautee^ withoute pride^ 

Yowthe^ withoute grenehede or folye_, 

To alle hir werkes vertu is hir gyde^ 

Humblesse hath slayn in hir al tirannye^ l65 

She is mirour of alle curteisye^ 

Hir herte is verray chambre of hoolynesse^ 

Hir hand ministre of fredam for almesse." 

And al this voys was sooth^ as God is trewe ! 

But now to purpos^ lat us turne agayn ; 170 

Thise marchantz han doon fraught hir shippes newe^ 

And whan they han this blisful mayden sayn_, 

Hoom to Surrye been they went ful fayn^ 

And doon hir nedes as they han doon yoore_, 

And lyven in wele^ I kan sey yow namoore. 175 

Now fil it^ that thise marchantz stode in grace 

Of hym^ that was the Sowdan of Surrye. 

For whan they cam from any strange place. 

He wolde^ of his benigne curteisye, 

Make hem good chiere^ and bisily espye 180 

Tidynges of sondry regnes^ for to leere 

The wondres that they myghte seen or heere. 

Amonges othere thynges^ specially 

Thise marchantz han hym toold of dame Custance 

So greet noblesse^ in ernest ceriously^ 185 

That this Sowdan hath caught so greet plesance 



106 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

To han hir figure in his remembrance^ 

That all his lust and al his bisy cure 

Was for to love hir^ while his lyf may dure. 

Par a venture in thilke large book^ 190 

Which that men clipe the hevene^ ywriten was 

With sterres^ whan that he his birthe took^ 

That he for love sholde han his deeth^ alias ! 

For in the sterres clerer than is glas 

Is writen^ God woot^ whoso koude it rede^ 195 

The deeth of every man^ withouten drede. 

In sterres many a wynter therbiforn 

Was writen the deeth of Ector^ Achilles, 

Of Pompei, Julius, er they were born, 

The strif of Thebes, and of Ercules, 200 

Of Sampson, Turnus, and of Socrates 

The deeth, but mennes wittes ben so duUe 

That no wight kan wel rede it atte fuUe. 

This Sowdan for his privee conseil sente. 

And, shortly of this matiere for to pace, 205 

He hath to hem declared his entente 

And seyde hem, certein, but he myghte have grace 

To han Custance withinne a litel space, 

He nas but deed ; and charged hem in hye 

To shapen for his lyf som remedye. 210 

Diverse men diverse thynges seyden; 

They argumenten, casten up and doun, 

Many a subtil resoun forth they leyden. 

They speken of magyk and abusioun 

But finally, as in conclusioun, 215 

They kan nat seen in that noon avantage, 

Ne in noon oother wey^ save mariage. 



THE TALE OF THE MAN OF LAWE 107 

Thanne sawe they therin swich difficultee 

By wey of reson_, for to speke al playn 

Bycause that ther was swich diversitee 220 

Bitwene hir bothe lawes^ that they sayn 

They trowe that "no cristene prince wolde fayn 

Wedden his child under oure lawes swete 

That us were taught by Mahoun oure prophete/' 

And he answerde: ''Rather than I lese 225 

Custance^ I wol be cristned^ doutelees. 

I moot been hires^ I may noon oother chese ; 

I prey yow^ hoold youre argumentz in pees. 

Saveth my lyf^ and beth noght recchelees 

To geten hir that hath my lyf in cure^ 230 

For in this wo I may nat longe endure/' 

What nedeth gretter dilatacioun? 

I seye^ by tretys and embassadrye 

And by the popes mediacioun_, 

And al the chirche and al the chivalrie, 235 

That in destruccioun of Mawmettrie 

And in encrees of Cristes lawe deere^ 

They been acorded^ so as ye shal heere_, 

How that the Sowdan and his baronage 

And alle hise liges sholde ycristned be — 240 

And he shal han Custance in mariage_, 

And certein gold^ I noot what quantitee^ 

And heerto founden suffisant suretee. 

This same accord was sworn on eyther syde. 

Now^ faire Custance^ almyghty God thee gyde ! 245 

Now wolde som men waiten^ as I gesse^ 
That I sholde tellen al the purveiance 
That themperour^ of his grete noblesse^ 

243 sufficient. 



108 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Hath shapen for his doghter dame Custance; 

Wei may men knowen that so greet ordinance 250 

May no man tellen in a litel clause 

As was arrayed for so heigh a cause. 

Bisshopes been shapen with hir for to wende^ 

Lordes^ ladies^ knyghtes of renoun^ 

And oother folk ynogh^ this is. the ende^ 255 

And notified is^ thurghout the toun. 

That every wight with greet devocioun 

Sholde preyen Crist^ that he this mariage 

Receyve in gree^ and spede this viage. 

The day is comen of hir departynge^ 260 

I seye^ the woful day fatal is come^ 

That ther may be no lenger tariynge^ 

But forthward they hem dressen^ alle and some. 

Custance^ that was with sorwe al overcome^ 

Ful pale arist^ and dresseth hir to wende^ 265 

For wel she seeth ther is noon oother ende. 

Allas^ what wonder is it thogh she wepte^ 

That shal be sent to strange nacioun 

Fro freendes that so tendrely hir kepte^ 

And to be bounden under subjeccioun 270 

Of oon^ she knoweth nat his condicioun? 

Housbondes been alle goode^ and han ben yoore^ 

That knowen wyves ! I dar sey yow namoore. 

*'Fader/' she seyde^ ''thy wrecched child Custance^ 

Thy yonge doghter^ fostred up so softe^ 275 

And ye my mooder^ my soverayn plesance^ 

Over alle thyng^ out-taken Crist on-lofte^ 

Custance^ youre child^ hir recomandeth ofte 

Unto your grace^ for I shal to Surrye 

Ne shal I nevere seen yow moore with eye. 280 

255 thende. 



THE TALE OF THE MAN OF LAWE 109 

Alias ! unto the barbre nacioun 

I moste goon^ syn that it is youre wille^ 

But Crista that starf for our savacioun^ 

So yeve me grace hise heestes to fulfille_, — 

I^ wrecche womman^ no fors though I spille. 285 

Wommen are born to thraldom and penance^ 

And to been under mannes governance/' 

I trowe^ at Troye whan Pirrus brak the wal^ 

Or Ilion brende^ ne at Thebes the Citee^ 

Ne at Rome for the harm thurgh Hanybal 290 

That Romayns hath venquysshed tymes thre^ 

Nas herd swich tendre wepyng for pitee 

As in the chambre was^ for hir departynge ; 

But forth she moot^ wher-so she wepe or synge. 

O firste moevyng crueel firmanent^ 295 

With thy diurnal sweigh^ that crowdest ay 

And hurlest al from Est til Occident 

That naturelly wolde holde another way^ 

Thy crowdyng set the hevene in swich array 

At the bigynnyng of this fiers viage^ 300 

That crueel Mars hath slayn this mariage. 

Infortunat ascendent tortuous^ 

Of which the lord is helplees f alle^ alias ! 

Out of his angle into the derkeste hous. 

O Mars ! O Atazir ! as in this cas^ 305 

O fieble Moone^ unhappy been thy paas ! 

Thou knyttest thee^ ther thou art nat receyved; 

Ther thou were weel^ fro thennes artow weyved. — 

Imprudent Emperour of Rome^ alias ! 

Was ther no philosophre in al thy toun? 310 

Is no tyme bet than oother in swich cas ? 

289 ne at om. 290 Nat. 



no THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Of viage is ther noon eleccioun^ 

Namely to folk of heigh condicioun^ 

Noght whan a roote is of a burthe yknowe ? 

Allas_, we been to lewed or to slowe! 315 

To ship is brought this woful faire mayde 

Solempnely^ with every circumstance^ 

''Now Jesu Crist be with yow alle/' she seyde. 

Ther nys namoore but^ "Farewel faire Custance I" 

She peyneth hir to make good contenance^ 320 

And forth I lete hir saille in this manere^ 

And turne I wole agayn to my matere. 

The mooder of the Sowdan^ welle of vyices^ 
Espied hath hir sones pleyne entente^ 

How he wol lete hise olde sacrifices^ 325 

And right anon she for hir conseil sente^ 
And they been come^ to knowe what she mente^ 
And whan assembled was this folk in feere^ 
She sette hir doun^ and seyde as ye shal heere. 

'*Lordes/' quod she^ ''ye knowen everichon^ 330 

How that my sone in point is for to lete 

The hooly lawes of oure Alkaron^ 

Yeven by Goddes message^ Makomete. 

But oon avow to grete God I heete^ 

The lyf shal rather out of my body sterte^ 335 

Than Makometes lawe out of myn herte ! 

What sholde us tyden of this newe lawe 

But thraldom to our bodies^ and penance^ 

And afterward in helle to be drawe 

For we reneyed Mahoun oure creance? 340 

But lordes^ wol ye maken assurance 

As I shal seyn^ assentynge to my loore^ 

And I shal make us sauf for everemoore/' 

316 brought come. 330 she seyde. 



THE TALE OF THE MAN OF LAWE 111 

They sworen and assenten every man 
To lyve with hir^ and dye^ and by hir stonde^ 345 

And everich in the beste wise he kan 
To strengthen hir shal alle hise frendes fonde^ 
And she hath this emprise ytake on honde^ 
Which ye shal heren^ that I shal devyse. 
And to hem alle she spak right in this wyse: 350 

**We shul first feyne us cristendom to take^ — 

Coold water shal nat greve us but a lite — 

And I shal swich a feeste and revel make_, 

That as I trowe I shal the Sowdan quite ; 

For thogh his wyf be cristned never so white_, 355 

She shal have nede to wasshe awey the rede_, 

Thogh she a fontful water with hir lede !'' 

O Sowdanesse^ roote of iniquitee ! 
Virago^ thou Semyrame the secounde ! 

O serpent under femynynytee^ 360 

Lik to the serpent depe in helle ybolinde ! 
O feyned womman^ al that may confounde 
Vertu and innocence thurgh thy malice 
Is bred in thee^ as nest of every vice ! 

O Sathan^ envious syn thilke day 365 

That thou were chaced from oure heritage^ 

Wei knowestow to wommen the olde way ! 

Thou madest Eva brynge us in servage; 

Thou wolt fordoon this cristen mariage. 

Thyn instrument^ so weylawey the while ! 370 

Makestow of wommen^ whan thou wolt bigile ! 

This Sowdanesse^ whom I thus blame and warie, 

Leet prively hir conseil goon hir way. 

What sholde I in this tale lenger tarie ? 

She rydeth to the Sowdan on a day 375 



112 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

And seyde hym^ that she wolde reneye hir lay^ 
And cristendom of preestes handes fonge^ 
Repentynge hir she hethen was so longe ; 

Bisechynge hym to doon hir that honour 

That she moste han the cristen folk to feeste. 380 

''To plesen hem I wol do my labour." 

The Sowdan seith^ ''I wol doon at youre heeste/' 

And knelynge thanketh hir of that requeste. 

So glad he was^ he nyste what to seye ; 

She kiste hir sone^ and hoome she gooth hir weye. 385 

Explicit prima pars. 

SequiUir pars secunda. 

Arryved been this cristen folk to londe^ 
In Surrye^ with a greet solempne route^ 
And hastifliche this Sowdan sente his sonde 
First to his mooder and all the regne aboute^ 
And seyde his wyf was comen^ oute of doute^ 390 

And preyde hir for to ryde agayn the queene^ 
The honour of his regne to susteene. 

Greet was the prees^ and riche was tharray 

Of Surry ens and Romayns met yf eere ; 

The mooder of the Sowdan^ riche and gay^ 395 

Receyveth hir with also glad a cheere 

As any mooder myghte hir doghter deere^ 

And to the nexte citee ther bisyde 

A softe paas solempnely they ryde. 

Noght trowe I the triumphe of Julius^ 400 

Of which that Lucan maketh swich a boosts 

Was roialler^ ne moore curius 

Than was thassemblee of this blisful boost. 

402 ne or. 



THE TALE OF THE MAN OF LAWE 113 

But this scorpioun^ this wikked goost, 

The Sowdanesse^ for all hir flaterynge 405 

Caste under this ful mortally to stynge. 

The Sowdan comth hymself soone after this 

So roially^ that wonder is to telle^ 

And welcometh hir with alle joje and blis^ 

And thus in murthe and j oy e I lete hem dwelle — 410 

The fruyt of this matiere is that I telle. — 

Whan tyme cam^ men thoughte it for the beste^ 

The revel stynte^ and men goon to hir reste. 

The tyme cam^ this olde Sowdanesse 

Ordeyned hath this feeste of which I tolde^ • 415 

And to the feeste cristen folk hem dresse 

In general^ ye^ bothe yonge and olde. 

Heere may men feeste and roialtee biholde^ 

And deyntees mo than I kan yow devyse; 

But al to deere they boghte it er they ryse ! 420 

O sodeyn wo^ that evere art successour 
To w^orldly blisse^ spreynd with bitternesse ! 
The ende of the joye of oure worldly labour! 
Wo occupieth the fyn of oure gladnesse ! 

Herke this conseil for thy sikernesse_, 425 

Upon thy glade day have in thy minde 
The unwar wo or harm that comth bihynde. 

For shortly for to tellen at o word^ 

The Sowdan and the cristen everichone 

Been al tohewe and stiked at the bord^ 430 

But it were oonly dame Custance allone. 

This olde Sowdanesse^ cursed krone^ 

Hath with hir freendes doon this cursed dede^ 

For she hirself wolde all the contree lede. 

4-28 For soothly. 



114 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Ne was ther Surry en noon^ that was converted^ 4}35 

That of the conseil of the Sowdan woot^ 

That he nas al tohewe er he asterted. 

And Custance han they take anon foot-hoot 

And in a ship all steerelees^ God woot^ 

They han hir set^ and biddeth hir lerne saille 440 

Out of Surrye agaynward to Ytaille. 

A certein tresor that she thider ladde^ 

And^ sooth to seyn^ vitaille greet plentee 

They han hir yeven^ and clothes eek she hadde^ 

And forth she sailleth in the salte see. 445 

O my Custance^ ful of benignytee^ 

O emperoures yonge doghter deere^ 

He that is lord of Fortune be thy steere ! 

She blesseth hir^ and with ful pitous voys 

Unto the croys of Crist thus seyde she^ 450 

"O cleere^ o welful auter^ hooly croys^ ^ 

Reed of the lambes bloody ful of pitee_, 

That wesshe the world fro the olde iniquitee^ 

Me fro the feend and fro his clawes kepe^ 

That day that I shal drenehen in the depe. 455 

Victorious tree^ proteccioun of trewe^ 

That oonly worthy were for to here 

The kyng of hevene with his woundes newe^ 

The white lamb that hurt was with the spere^ 

Flemer of feendes out of hym and here 460 

On which thy lymes f eithfully extenden^ 

Me keep^ and yif me myght my lyf tamenden." 

Yeres and dayes fleteth this creature 

Thurghout the See of Grece unto the Strayte 

Of Marrok^ as it was hir aventure. 465 

435 ther 07n. 442 thider with hir. 447 emperours. 451 ivelful woful. 
462 keepe helpe. 



THE TALE OF THE MAN OF LAWE 115 

On many a sory meel now may she bayte ; 
After hir deeth ful often may she wayte^ 
Er that the wilde wawes wol hire dryve 
Unto the place ther she shal arryve. 

Men myghten asken why she was nat slayn? 470 

Eek at the feeste who myghte hir body save? 
And I answere to that demande agayn^ 
Who saved D any el in the horrible cave^ 
Ther every wight save he_, maister and knave_, 
Was with the leoun frete^ er he asterte? 475 

No wight but God_, that he bar in his herte. 

God liste to shewe his wonderful myracle 

In hir^ for we sholde seen his myghty werkis. 

Crista which that is to every harm triacle^ 

By certeine meenes ofte_, as knowen clerkis^ 480 

Dooth thyng for certein ende_, that ful derk is 

To mannes wit^ that for oure ignorance 

Ne konne noght knowe his prudent purveiance. 

Nov/^ sith she was nat at the feeste yslawe^ 

Who kepte hir fro the drenchyng in the see? 485 

Who kepte Jonas in the fisshes mawe 

Til he was spouted up at Nynyvee? 

Wei may men knowe it was no wight but he 

That kepte peple Ebrayk from hir drenchynge^ 

With drye feet thurghout the see passynge. 490 

Who bad the foure spirites of tempest^ 

That power han tanoyen lond and see_, 

**Bothe north and south^ and also west and est^ 

Anoyeth neither see^ ne land^ ne tree?" 

Soothly, the comandour of that was he^ 495 

That fro the tempest ay this womman kepte^ 

As wel eek when she wook as whan she slepte. 

497 eek om. 



116 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Where myghte this womman mete and drynke have ? 

Thre yeer and moore how lasteth hir vitaille? 

Who fedde the Egypcien Marie in the cave^ 500 

Or in desert? no wight but Crist sanz faille. 

Fyve thousand folk it was as greet mervaille 

With loves fyve and fisshes two to feede; 

God sente his foyson at hir grete neede. 

She dryveth forth into oure occian 505 

Thurghout oure wilde see^ til atte laste 

Under an hoold that nempnen I ne kan^ 

Fer in Northhumberlond^ the wawe hir caste^ 

And in the sond hir ship stiked so f aste 

That thennes wolde it noght of al a tyde, 510 

The wyl of Crist was that she sholde abyde. 

The constable of the castel doun is fare 

To seen his wrak^ and al the ship he soghte^ 

And foond this wery womman ful of care^ 

He foond also the tresor that she broghte^ 515 

In hir langage mercy she bisoghte^ 

The lyf out of hire body for to twynne^ 

Hir to delivere of wo that she was inne. 

A maner Latyn corrupt was hir speche^ 

But algates ther-by was she understonde. 520 

The constable^ whan hym lyst no lenger seche^ 

This woful womman broghte he to the londe. 

She kneleth doun and thanketh Goddes sonde ; 

But what she was_, she wolde no man seye^ 

For foul ne fair^ thogh that she sholde deye. 525 

She seyde^ she was so mazed in the see 
That she forgat hir mynde^ by hir trouthe. 
The constable hath of hir so greet pitee^ 
And eke his wyf^ that they wepen for routhe. 



THE TALE OF THE MAN OF LAWE 117 

She was so diligent withouten slouthe 530 

To serve and plesen everich in that place^ 
That alle hir loven that looken on hir face. 

This constable and dame Hermengyld his wyf 

Were payens^ and that contree every-where; 

But Hermengyld loved hir right as hir lyf^ 535 

And Custance hath so longe sojourned there 

In orisons with many a bitter teere^ 

Til Jesu hath converted thurgh his grace 

Dame Hermengyld^ constablesse of that place. 

In al that lond no cristen dorste route^ 540 

Alle cristen folk been fled fro that contree 

Thurgh payens that conquereden al aboute 

The plages of the North by land and see. 

To Walys fledde the Cristyanytee 

Of olde Britons^ dwellynge in this He; 54<5 

Ther was hir refut for the meene-while. 

But yet nere cristene Britons so exiled 

That ther nere somme that in hir privetee 

Honoured Crist, and hethen folk bigiled^ 

And ny the castel swiche ther dwelten three; 550 

That oon of hem was blynd^ and myghte nat see^ 

But it were with thilke eyen of his mynde_, 

With whiche men seen^ after that they ben blynde. 

Bright was the sonne as in that someres day^ 
For which the constable and his wyf also 555 

And Custance han ytake the righte way 
Toward the see^ a furlong wey or two_, 
To pleyen^ and to romen^ to and f ro^ 
And in hir walk this blynde man they mette_, 
Croked and oold^ with eyen faste yshette. 560 

531 plese. 553 after whan. 



118 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

''In name of Crist^'' cride this olde Britoun^ 

"Dame Hermengyld^ yif me my sighte agayn." 

This lady weex afFrayed of the soun^ 

Lest that hir housbonde^ shortly for to sayn, 

Wolde hir for Jesu Cristes love han slayn^ 565 

Til Custance made hir boold^ and bad hir wirche 

The wyl of Crista as doghter of his chirehe. 

The constable weex abasshed of that sights 

And seyde^ ''What amounteth all this fare V 

Custance answerde^ "Sire^ it is Cristes myght_, 570 

That helpeth folk out of the feendes snare." 

And so ferforth she gan oure lay declare^ 

That she the constable^ er that it were eve^ 

Converteth^ and on Crist maketh hym bileve. 

This constable was no-thyng lord of this place" 575 

Of which I speke^ ther he Custance fond ; 

But kepte it strongly many wyntres space 

Under AUa^ kyng of al Northhumbrelond^ 

That was ful wys and worthy of his hond 

Agayn the Scott es^ as men may wel heere; — 580 

But turne I wole agayn to my mateere. 

Sathan^ that ever us waiteth to bigile^ 

Saugh of Custance al hir perfeccioun 

And caste anon how he myghte quite hir while; 

And made a yong knyght^ that dwelte in that toun^ 585 

Love hir so hoote of foul aiFeccioun 

That verraily hym thoughte he sholde spille^ 

But he of hir myghte ones have his wille. 

He woweth hir^ but it availleth noght^ 

She wolde do no synne^ by no weye; 590 

And for despit he compassed in his thoght 

To maken hir on shameful deeth to deye. 



THE TALE OF THE MAN OF LAWE 119 

He wayteth whan the constable was aweye 

And pryvely upon a nyght he crepte 

In Hermengyldes ehambre whil she slepte. 595 

Wery_, for-waked in hir orisouns^ 

Slepeth Custance^ and Hermengyld also. 

This knyght^ thurgh Sathanas temptaciouns^ 

All sof tely is to the bed ygo^ 

And kitte the throte of Hermengyld atwo^, 600 

And leyde the blody knyf by dame Custance^ 

And wente his wey^ ther God yeve hym meschance ! 

Soone after cometh this constable hoom agayn^ 

And eek Alla^ that kyng was of that lond^ 

And saugh his wyf despitously yslayn^ 605 

For which ful ofte he weep and wroong his hond^ 

And in the bed the blody knyf he fond 

By Dame Custance; allas^ what myghte she seye? 

For verray wo hir wit was al aweye !, 

To kyng Alia was toold al this meschance^ 6lO 

And eek the tyme^ and where^ and in what wise 

That in a ship was founden dame Custance^ 

As heer-biforn that ye han herd devyse. 

The kynges herte of pitee gan agryse^ 

Whan he saugh so benigne a creature 6l5 

Falle in disese and in mysaventure. 

For as the lomb toward his deeth is broght^ 

So stant this innocent bifore the kyng. 

This false knyght^ that hath this tresoun wroght_, 

Berth hir on hond that she hath doon thys thyng, 620 

But nathelees^ ther was greet moornyng 

Among the peple^ and seyn^ they kan nat gesse 

That she had doon so greet a wikkednesse ; 

598 Sathans. 



120 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

For they han seyn hir evere so vertuous^ 

And lovyng Hermengyld right as hir lyf. 625 

Of this baar witnesse everich in that hous 

Save he that Hermengyld slow with his knyf. 

This gentil kyng hath caught a greet motyf 

Of this witnesse^ and thoghte he wolde enquere 

Depper in this^ a trouthe for to lere. 630 

AUas^ Custance^ thou hast no champioun! 

Ne fighte kanstow noght^ so weylaway ! 

But he^ that starf for our redempcioun^ 

And boond Sathan — and yet lith ther he lay — 

So be thy stronge champion this day ! 6S5 

For but if Crist open myracle kithe^ 

Withouten gilt thou shalt be slayn as swithe. 

She sette hir doun on knees^ and thus she sayde^ 

**Immortal God^ that savedest Susanne 

Fro false blame^ and thou^ merciful Mayde^ 640 

Marie I meene^ doghter to Seynte Anne_, 

Bifore whos child angeles synge Osanne_, 

If I be giltlees of this felony e^ 

My socour be^ for ellis shal I dye." 

Have ye nat seyn som tyme a pale face 64f5 

Among a prees^ of hym that hath be lad 
Toward his deeth^ wher as hym gat no grace^ 
And swich a colour in his face hath had^ 
Men myghte knowe his f ace^ that was bistad^ 
Amonges alle the faces in that route? 650 

So stant Custance^ and looketh hir aboute. 

O queenes^ lyvynge in prosperitee^ 

Duchesses^ and ladyes everichone^ 

Haveth som routhe on hir adversitee; 

An emperoures doghter stant allone^ 655 

640 fals. 655 emperours. 



THE TALE OF THE MAN OF LAWE 121 

She hath no wight to whom to make hir mone. 
O blood roial^ that stondest in this drede^ 
Fer been thy f reendes at thy grete nede ! 

This Alia kyng hath swich compassioun^ 
As gentil herte is fulfild of pitee^ 660 

That from hise eyen ran the water doun. 
'*Now hastily do fecche a book/' quod he^ 
*'And if this knyght wol sweren how that she 
This womman slow^ yet wol we us avyse^ 
Whom that we wole^ that shal been oure justise/' 665 

A Britoun book_, written with Evaungiles^ 

Was fet_, and on this book he swoor anoon 

She gilty was^ and in the meene- whiles 

An hand hym smoot upon the nekke-boon^ 

That doun he fil atones^ as a stoon ; 670 

And bothe hise eyen broste out of his face_, 

In sighte of every body in that place. 

A voys was herd in general audience^ 

And seyde^ ''Thou hast desclaundred giltelees 

The doghter of hooly ehirche in heigh presence^ 675 

Thus hastou doon^ and yet holde I my pees." 

Of this mervaille agast was al the prees_, 

As mazed folk they stoden everichone 

For drede of wreche^ save Custance allone. 

Greet was the drede and eek the repentance 680 

Of hem that hadden wronge suspecioun 
Upon this sely innocent,, Custance ; 
And for this miracle^ in conclusioun^ 
And by Custances mediacioun^ 

The kyng, and many another in that place, 6S5 

Converted was, thanked be Cristes grace. 
674 giltlees. 



122 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

This false knyght was slayn for his untrouthe_, 

By juggement of Alia hastifly — 

And yet Custance hadde of his deeth greet routhe — 

And after this Jesus^ of His mercy^ 690 

Made Alia wedden ful solempnely 

This hooly mayden^ that is so bright and sheene^ 

And thus hath Crist ymaad Custance a queene. 

But who was woful^ if I shal nat lye^ 

Of this weddyng but Donegild^ and namo^ 695 

The kynges mooder^ ful of tirannye ? 

Hir thoughte hir cursed herte brast atwo^ 

She wolde noght hir sone had do so^ 

Hir thoughte a despite that he sholde take 

So strange a creature unto his make. 700 

Me list nat of the chaf nor of the stree 

Maken so long a tale^ as of the corn; 

What sholde I tellen of the roialtee 

At mariages^ or which cours goth biforn^ 

Who bloweth in the trumpe^ or in an horn? 705 

The fruyt of every tale is for to seye; 

They ete_, and drynke_, and daunce^ and synge^ and pleye. 

They goon to bedde^ as it was skile and rights 

For thogh that wyves be ful hooly thynges^ 

They moste take in pacience at nyght 710 

Swiche manere necessaries as been plesynges 

To folk that han ywedded hem with rynges^ 

And leyea lite hir hoolynesse aside 

As for the tyme^ it may no bet bitide. 

On hir he gat a knave childe anon^ 715 

And to a bisshop and his constable eke 
He took his wyf to kepe^ whan he is gon 



THE TALE OF THE MAN OF LAWE 128 

To Scotlondward^ his foomen for to seke. 

Now faire Ciistance^ that is so humble and meke^ 

So longe is goon with childe^ til that stille 720 

She halt hire chambre^ abidyng Cristes wille. 

The tyme is come^ a knave child she beer^ 

Mauricius at the fontstoon they hym calle. 

This constable dooth forth come a messageer^ 

And wroot unto his kyng^ that cleped was Alle^ 725 

How that this blisful tidyng is bifalle^ 

And othere tidynges spedef ul for to seye ; 

He taketh the lettre^ and forth he gooth his weye. 

This messager^ to doon his avantage_, 

Unto the kynges mooder rideth s withe, 730 

And salueth hir ful faire in his langage, 

''Madame,'' quod he, ''ye may be glad and blithe, 

And thanketh God an hundred thousand sithe. 

My lady queene hath child, withouten doute. 

To joye and blisse to al this regne aboute. 735 

Lo, heere the lettres seled of this thyng. 

That I moot here with al the haste I may. 

If ye wol aught unto youre sone, the kyng, 

I am youre servant bothe nyght and day." 

Donegild answerde, "As now at this tyme, nay, 740 

But heere al nyght I wol thou take thy reste, 

Tomorwe wol I seye thee what me leste." 

This messager drank sadly ale and wyn. 

And stolen were hise lettres prively 

Out of his box, whil he sleep as a swyn ; 745 

And countrefeted was ful subtilly 

Another lettre wroght ful synfuUy, 

Unto the kyng direct of this mateere 

Fro his constable, as ye shal after heere. 



124 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

The lettre spak^ the queene delivered was 750 

Of so horrible a feendly creature 

That in the eastel noon so hardy was 

That any while dorste ther endure; 

The mooder was an elf^ by aventure^ 

Yeomen by charmes or by sorcerie^ 755 

And every wight hateth hir compaignye. 

Wo was this kyng whan he this lettre had sayn, 

But to no wight he tolde his sorwes soore^ 

But of his owene hand he wroot agayn: 

''Welcome the sonde of Crist for everemoore 760 

To me^ that am now lerned in his loore. 

Lord^ welcome be thy lust and thy plesaunce^ 

My lust I putte al in thyn ordinaunce. 

Kepeth this child^ al be it foul or feire^ 

And eek my wyf^ unto myn hoom-comynge ; 765 

Crista whan hym list^ may sende me an heir 

Moore agreable than this to my likynge/' 

This lettre he seleth^ pryvely wepynge^ 

Which to the messager was take soone 

And forth he gooth^ ther is namoore to doone. 770 

O messager^ fulfild of dronkenesse^ 
Strong is thy breeth^ thy lymes faltren ay^ 
And thou biwreyest alle secreenesse. 
Thy mynde is lorn^ thou janglest as a jay^ 
Thy face is turned in a newe array; 775 

Ther dronkenesse regneth in any route^ 
Th^r is iio conseil hyd^ withouten doute. 

O Donegild^ I ne have noon Englissh digne 
Unto thy malice and thy tirannye ; 

And therfore to the feend I thee resigne^ 780 

Lat hym enditen of thy traitorie ! 
756 euerich hateth. 



THE TALE OF THE MAN OF LAWE 125 

Yjy mannysh^ fy ! O nay^ by God^ I lye ! 
Fy^ f eendlych spirit ! for I dar wel telle^ 
Thogh thou heere walke^ thy spirit is in helle. 

This messager comth fro the kyng agayn^ 785 

And at the kynges moodres court he lighte 

And she was of this messager ful fayn^ 

And plesed hym in al that ever she myghte. 

He drank^ and wel his girdel underpighte. 

He slepeth^ and he fnorteth in his gyse 790 

Al nyght until the sonne gan aryse. 

Eft were hise lettres stolen every chon 

And countrefeted lettres in this wyse^ 

"The king comandeth his constable anon 

Up peyne of hangyng and on heigh juyse 795 

That he ne sholde suffren in no wyse 

Custance inwith his reawme for tabyde_, 

Thre dayes and o quarter of a tyde. 

But in the same ship as he hir fond^ 

Hir and hir yonge sone^ and al hir geere^ 800 

He sholde putte^ and croude hir fro the lond^ 

And chargen hir she never eft coome theere/' 

O my Custance^ wel may thy goost have fere^ 

And slepynge in thy dreem been in penance_, 

Whan Donegild cast al this ordinance. 805 

This messager^ on morwe whan he wook^ 
Unto the Castel halt the nexte way^ 
And to the constable he the lettre took. 
And whan that he this pitous lettre say_, 

Ful ofte he seyde^ *'Allas and weylaway!" 810 

"Lord Crist/' quod he^ "how may this world endure^ 
So ful of synne is many a creature } 

791 til. 



126 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

O myghty God^ if that it be thy wille^ 

Sith thou art rightful juge_, how may it be 

That thou wolt sufFren innocentz to spiile^ 815 

And wikked folk regnen in prosperitee ? 

O goode Custance^ allas^ so wo is me^ 

That I moot be thy tormentour^ or deye 

On shames deeth ! Ther is noon oother weye I" 

Wepen bothe yonge and olde in al that place, 820 

Whan that the kyng this cursed lettre sente. 
And Custance, with a deedly pale face, 
The f erthe day toward the ship she wente ; 
But nathelees she taketh in good entente 
The wyl of Crist, and knelynge on the stronde, 825 

She seyde, "Lord, ay welcome be thy sonde ! 

He that me kepte fro the false blame. 

While I was on the lond amonges yow. 

He kah me kepe from harm and eek fro shame 

In salte see, al thogh I se noght how. 830 

As strong as evere he was, he is yet now; 

In hym triste I, and in his mooder deere. 

That is to me my seyl and eek my steere." 

Hir litel child lay wepyng in hir arm. 

And knelynge, pitously to hym she seyde, 835 

''Tees, litel sone, I wol do thee noon harm." 

With that hir coverchief of hir heed she breyde. 

And over hise litel eyen she it leyde. 

And in hir arm she luUeth it ful f aste. 

And into hevene hir eyen up she caste. 840 

"Mooder," quod she, "and mayde bright, Marie, 
Sooth is that thurgh wommanes eggement 
Mankynde was lorn and damned ay to dye. 
For which thy child was on a croys yrent ; 

837 of over. 



THE TALE OF THE MAN OF LAWE 127 

Thy blisful eyen sawe al his torment; 845 

Thanne is ther no comparison bitwene 
Thy wo^ and any wo man may sustene. 

Thow sawe thy child yslayn bifore thyne eyen^ 

And yet now lyveth my litel child^ parfay. 

Now^ lady bright^ to whom alle woful cryen^ 850 

Thow glorie of wommanhede_, thow faire may^ 

Thow haven of refut^ brighte sterre of day^ 

Rewe on my child^ that of thy gentillesse 

Ruest on every reweful in distresse. 

O litel child^ allas^ what is thy gilt^ 855 

That nevere wroghtest synne as yet^ pardee ! 

Why wil thyn harde fader han thee spilt? 

O mercy^ deere Constable/' quod she^ 

*'As lat my litel child dwelle heer with thee ; 

And if thou darst nat saven hym for blame_, 860 

Yet kys hym ones in his fadres name." 

Therwith she looketh bakward to the londe^ 

And seyde^ "Farewel^ housbonde routhelees V 

And up she rist^ and walketh doun the stronde^ 

Toward the ship. Hir folweth al the prees^ 865 

And evere she preyeth hir child to holde his pees, 

And taketh hir leve, and with an hooly entente 

She blisseth hir, and into ship she wente. 

Vitailled was the ship, it is no drede, 

Habundantly for hir ful longe space ; 870 

And othere necessaries that sholde nede 

She hadde ynogh, heried be Goddes grace; 

For wynd and weder almyghty God purchace. 

And brynge hir hoom, I kan no bettre seye ! 

But in the see she dryveth forth hir weye. 875 

Explicit secunda pars. 

849 litel om. 



128 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Sequitur pars tercia. 

Alia the kyng comth hoom^ soone after this. 
Unto his castel of the which I tolde^ 
And asketh where his wyf and his child is. 
The constable gan aboute his herte colde, 
And pleynly al the manere he hym tolde, 880 

As ye han herd^ I kan telle it no bettre ; 
And sheweth the kyng his seel and eek his lettre. 

And seyde_, "Lord^ as ye comanded me, 

Up peyne of deeth, so have I doon, certein/' 

This messager tormented was, til he 885 

Moste biknowe, and tellen plat and pleyn 

Fro nyght to nyght in what place he had leyn. 

And thus by wit and sotil enquerynge 

Ymagined was, by whom this harm gan sprynge. 

The hand was knowe that the lettre wroot, 890 

And al the venym of this cursed dede. 

But in what wise certeinly I noot. 

ThefFect is this, that Alia, out of drede. 

His mooder slow, that may men pleynly rede. 

For that she traitoure was to hir ligeance, S95 

Thus endeth olde Donegild, with meschance ! 

The sorwe that this Alia, nyght and day, 
Maketh for his wyf, and for his child also, 
Ther is no tonge that it telle may — 

But now wol I unto Custance go, 900 

That fleteth in the see in peyne and wo, 
Fyve yeer and moore, as liked Cristes sonde, 
Er that hir ship approched unto londe. 

Under an hethen castel, atte laste. 

Of which the name in my text noght I fynde, 905 

Custance and eek hir child the see upcaste. 

882 eek om. 908 the londe. 



THE TALE OF THE MAN OF LAWE 129 

Almyghty god that saved al mankynde_, 

Have on Custance and on hir child som mynde^ 

That fallen is in hethen hand eft-soone^ 

In point to spille^ as I shal telle yow soone. 910 

Doun fro the castel eomth ther many a wight 

To gauren on this ship and on Custance, 

But shortly from the castel on a nyght 

The lordes styward^ God yeve hym meschance ! — 

A theef that hadde reneyed oure creance^ 915 

Cam into the ship allone, and seyde he sholde 

Hir lemman be, wherso she wolde or nolde. 

Wo was this wrecched womman tho bigon ! 

Hir child cride, and she cride pitously. 

But blisful Marie heelp hir right anon, 920 

For with hir struglyng wel and myghtily. 

The theef fil over bord al sodeynly. 

And in the see he dreynte for vengeance, 

And thus hath Crist unwemmed kept Custance. 

O foule lust of luxurie, lo, thyn ende ! 925 

Nat oonly that thou feyntest mannes mynde. 
But verraily thou wolt his body shende. 
Thende of thy werk or of thy lustes blynde 
Is compleynyng; hou many oon may men fynde. 
That noght for werk somtyme, but for thentente 930 

To doon this synne, been outher slayn or shente ! 

How may this wayke womman han this strengthe 

Hir to defende agayn this renegat? 

O Golias, unmesurable of lengthe, 

Hou myghte David make thee so maat, 935 

So yong, and of armure so desolaat? 

Hou dorste he looke upon thy dredf ul face ? 

Wel may men seen, it nas but Goddes grace ! 



130 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Who yaf Judith corage or hardynesse 

To sleen hym^ Olofernus^ in his tente^ 9^0 

And to deliveren out of wrecchednesse 

The peple of God? I seye^ for this entente 

That right as God spirit of vigour sente 

To hem^ and saved hem out of mesehance^ 

So sente he myght and vigour to Custance. 945 

Forth gooth hir ship thurghout the narwe mouth 

Of Jubaltar and Septe^ dryvynge alway^ 

Somtyme west^ and somtyme north and south^ 

And somtyme est^ f ul many a wery day ; 

Til Cristes mooder — blessed be she ay ! — 950 

Hath shapen^ thurgh hir endelees goodnesse^ 

To make an ende of al hir hevynesse. 

Now lat us stynte of Custance but a throwe^ 
And speke we of the Romayn Emperour^ 
That out of Surry e hath by lettres knowe 955 

The slaughtre of cristen folk^ and dishonour 
Doon to his doghter by a fals traytour^ 
I mene the cursed wikked Sowdanesse^ 
That at the f eeste leet sleen both moore and lesse ; 

For which this emperour hath sent anon 960 

His senatour^ with roial ordinance 

And othere lordes^ God woot many oon^ 

On Surryens to taken heigh vengeance. 

They brennen^ sleen^ and brynge hem to meschance 

Ful many a day^ but shortly^ this is thende. 965 

Hoomward to Rome they shapen hem to wende. 

This senatour repaireth with victorie 

To Romeward saillynge ful roially^ 

And mette the ship dryvynge^ as seith the storie^ 

In which Custance sit ful pitously. 970 

940 Oloferne. 



THE TALE OF THE MAN OF LAWE 131 

No thyng ne knew he what she was^ ne why 
She was in swich array^ ne she nyl seye 
Of hir estate thogh that she sholde deye. 

He bryngeth hir to Rome^ and to his wyf 

He yaf hir^ and hir yonge sone also^ 975 

And with the senatour she ladde hir lyf. 

Thus kan oure Lady bryngen out of wo 

Woful Custance_, and many another mo. 

And longe tyme dwelled she in that place^ 

In hooly werkes evere^ as was hir grace. 980 

The senatoures wyf hir aunte was^ 

Eut for all that she knew hir never the moore — 

I wol no lenger tarien in this cas_, 

But to kyng Alla^ which I spake of yoore^ 

That wepeth for his wyf and siketh soore^ 9^5 

I wol retourne, and lete I wol Custance 

Under the senatoures governance. 

Kyng AUa^ which that hadde his mooder slayn. 
Upon a day fil in swich repentance 

That^ if I shortly tellen shal and playn^ 990 

To Rome he comth^ to receyven his penance^ 
And putte hym in the popes ordinance 
In heigh and logh^ and Jesu Crist bisoghte 
Foryeve hise wikked werkes that he wroghte. 

The fame anon thurgh Rome toun is born 995 

How Alia kyng shal comen on pilgrymage^ 

By herbergeours that wenten hym biforn^ 

For which the Senatour^ as was usage^ 

^ood hym agayns^ and many of his lynage^ 

As w^el to shewen his heighe magnificence 1000 

As to doon any kyng a reverence. 

971 ne om. 973 that om. 981, 987 sena tours. 



1S2 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Greet cheere dooth this noble Senatour 

To kyng AUa^ and he to hym also^ 

Everich of hem dooth oother greet honour; 

And so bifel^ that inwith a day or two 1005 

This senatour is to kyng Alia go 

To f este ; and shortly^ if I shal nat lye^ 

Custanees sone wente in his compaignye. 

Som men wolde seyn^ at requeste of Custance 

This senatour hath lad this child to feeste; 1010 

I may nat tellen every circumstance^ 

Be as be may^ ther was he at the leeste^ 

But sooth is this^ that at his moodres heeste 

Biforn Alia durynge the metes space^ 

The child stood lookynge in the kynges face. 1015 

This Alia kyng hath of this child greet wonder^ 

And to the senatour he seyde anon_, 

"Whos is that faire child^ that stondeth yonder?*' 

''I noot/' quod he^ *'by God and by Seint John! 

A mooder he hath^ but fader hath he noon^ 1020 

That I of woot/' But shortly^ in a stounde^ 

He tolde Alia how that this child was founde. 

*'But God woot^'' quod this senatour also_, 

*'So vertuous a lyver in my lyf 

Ne saugh I nevere as she^ ne herde of mo 1025 

Of worldly wommen^ mayde^ ne of wyf ; 

I dar wel seyn^ hir hadde levere a knyf 

Thurghout hir brest^ than ben a womman wikke^ 

There is no man koude brynge hir to that prikke." 

Now was this child as lyke unto Custance^ 1030 

As possible is a creature to be. 

This Alia hath the face in remembrance 

Of dame Custance^ and theron mused he. 



THE TALE OF THE MAN OF LAWE 133 

If that the childes mooder were aught she 

That is his wyf ; and prively he sighte 1035 

And spedde hym fro the table that he myghte. 

'Tarfay/' thoghte he^ "fantome is in myn heed. 

I oghte deme^ of skilful juggement^ 

That in the salte see my wyf is deed/' 

And afterward he made his argument: 1040 

*'What woot I^ if that Crist have hyder ysent 

My wyf by see^ as wel as he hir sente 

To my contree fro thennes that she wente?'' 

And^ after noon_, hoom with the senatour 

Goth Alla^ for to seen this wonder chaunce. 1045 

This senatour dooth Alia greet honour_, 

And hastifly he sente after Custance. 

But trusteth weel^ hir liste nat to daunce 

Wl^an that she wiste wherf ore was that sonde ; 

Unnethe upon hir feet she myghte stonde. 1050 

Whan Alia saugh his wyf^ faire he hir grette^ 

And weep_, that it was routhe for to see. 

For at the firste look he on hir sette^ 

He knew wel verraily that it was she. 

And she for sorwe as doumb stant as a tree^ 1055 

So was hir herte shet in hir distresses 

Whan she remembred his unkyndenesse. 

Twyes she swowned in his owene sighte. 

He weeps and hym excuseth pitously. 

"Now God/' quod he^ ''and alle hise halwes brighte 1060 

So wisly on my soule as have mercy. 

That of youre harm as giltelees am I 

As is Maurice my sone, so lyk youre face; 

Elles the feend me f ecche out of this place !" 

1060 alle om. 1062 giltlees. 



134 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Long was the sobbyng and the bitter peyne 1065 

Er that hir woful hertes myghte cesse^ 

Greet was the pitee for to heere hem pleyne^ 

Thurgh whiche pleintes gan hir wo encresse. 

I pray yow alle my labour to relesse; 

I may nat telle hir wo until tomorwe^ 1070 

I am so wery for to speke of sorwe. 

But finally^ whan that the sothe is wist. 

That Alia giltelees was of hir wo, 

I trowe an hundred tymes been they kist, 

And swich a blisse is ther bitwix hem two, 1075 

That save the joye that lasteth everemo 

Ther is noon lyk that any creature 

Hath seyn, or shal, whil that the world may dure. 

Tho preyde she hir housbonde mekely. 

In relief 'of hir longe pitous pyne, 1,080 

That he wolde preye hir fader specially 

That, of his magestee, he wolde enclyne 

To vouchesauf som day with hym to dyne. 

She preyde hym eek, he wolde by no weye 

Unto hir fader no word of hir seye. 1085 

Som men wolde seyn, how that the child Maurice 

Dooth this message unto this emperour. 

But, as I gesse. Alia was nat so nyce 

To hym that was of so sovereyn honour. 

As he that is of cristen folk the flour, 1090 

Sente any child, but it is bet to deeme 

He wente hymself, and so it may wel seeme. 

This emperour hath graunted gentilly 

To come to dyner_, as he hym bisoughte. 

And wel rede I he looked bisily 1095 

1073 giltlees. 



THE TALE OF THE MAN OF LAWE 135 

Upon this child^ and on his doghter thoghte. 
Alia goth to his in^ and as him oghte 
Arrayed for this feste in every wise 
As ferforth as his konnyng may suffise. 

The morwe cam^ and Alia gan hym dresse 1100 

And eek his wyf^ this emperour to meete^ 

And forth they ryde in joye and in gladnesse_, 

And whan she saugh hir fader in the strete^ 

She lighte doun and falleth hym to feete. 

''Fader^'' quod she^ ''youre yonge child Custance 1105 

Is now ful clene out of youre remembrance. 

I am youre doghter Custance^'' quod she_, 

*'That whilom ye han sent unto Surry e. 

It am I^ fader^ that in the salte see 

Was put allone^ and dampned for to dye. 1110 

Now goode fader^ mercy I yow crye^ 

Sende me namoore unto noon hethenesse^ 

But thonketh my lord heere of his kyndenesse." 

Who kan the pitous joye tellen al 

Bitwixe hem thre^ syn they been thus ymette.^ 1115 

But of my tale make an ende I shal^ 

The day goth faste^ I wol no lenger lette. 

This glade folk to dyner they hem sette^ 

In joye and blisse at mete I lete hem dwelle^ 

A thousand foold wel moore than I kan telle. 1120 

This child Maurice was sithen emperour 

Maad by the pope^ and lyved cristenly. 

To Cristes chirche he dide greet honour; 

But I lete all his storie passen by — 

Of Custance is my tale specially — 1125 

In the olde Romayn geestes may men fynde 

Maurices lyf^ I here it noght in mynde. 



136 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

This kyng AUa^ whan he his tyme say^ 

With his Custance_, his hooly wyf so sweete^ 

To Engelond been they come the righte way^ 1130 

Wher as they ly ve in j oye and in quiete. 

But litel while it lasteth^ I yow heete^ 

Joye of this world^ for tyme wol nat abyde^ 

Fro day to nyght it changeth as the tyde. 

Who lyved evere in swich delit o day 1135 \ 

That hym ne moeved outher conscience 

Or ire^ or talent^ or som-kyn affray^ 

Envye^ or pride^ or passion^ or offence? 

I ne seye but for this ende this sentence^ 

That litel while in joye or in plesance 1140 

Lasteth the blisse of Alia with Custance. 

For deeth^ that taketh of heigh and logh his rente. 

Whan passed was a yeer^ evene as I gesse. 

Out of this world this kyng Alia he hente. 

For whom Custance hath ful greet hevynesse. 1145 

Now lat us praye God his soule blesse. 

And dame Custance^ finally to seye, 

Toward the toun of Rome goth hir weye. 

To Rome is come this hooly creature, 

And fyndeth ther hir freendes hoole and sounde. 1150 

Now is she scaped al hire aventure. 

And whan that she hir fader hath yfounde, 

Doun on hir knees falleth she to grounde, 

Wepynge for tendrenesse, in herte blithe, 

She heryeth God an hundred thousand sithe. 1155 

In vertu and in hooly almus-dede 

They lyven alle, and never asonder wende 

Til deeth departed hem; this lyf they lede; — 

1137 kynnes. 1150 ther om. 1156 in om. 



THE TALE OF THE MAN OF LAWE 137 

And fareth now weel^ my tale is at an ende. 

Now Jesu Crista that of his myght may sende II60 

Joye after wo_, governe us in his grace^ 

And kepe us alle that been in this place. Amen. 

Heere endeth the tale of the Man of Lawe. 



PROLOGUE TO THE SHIPMANNES 

TALE 

Here endith the man of lawe his tale. And next folwith 
the Shipman his prolog. 

Oure Ost upon his stiropes stood anoon^ 
And seide_, *'Good men^ herkeneth everychoon; 
This was a thrifty tale for the nonys. 1165 

Sir parisshe preste/' quod he_, *'for Godis bonys^ 
Telle us a tale_, as was thi forward yore; 
I se wel^ that ye lernede men in lore 
Can meche good^ bi Godis dignite/' 

The parson him answerde_, '^Benedicite^ 1170 

What eyleth the man so synfuUy to swere?'' 
Oure Ost answerde^ "O Jankyn^ be ye there? 
I smelle a LoUere in the wynde^" quod he_, 
''Howe^ goodmen/' quod oure Hoste^ '^herkeneth me^ 
Abyde for Godis digne passioun^ 1175 

For we shul han a predicacioun^ 
This LoUere here wol preehen us somwhat." 
''Nay^ bi Godis soule^ that shal he nat/' 
Seyde the Shipman^ ''here shal he not preche^ 
He shal no gospel glosen here^ ne teche^ 1180 

We leven alle in the grete God/' quod he^ 
''He wolde sowen som diffieulte 
Or sprengen cokkel in oure clene corn. 
And therfore^ Ost^ I warne the biforn^ 

My joly body shal a tale telle 1185 

And I shal clynkyn yow so mery a belle 
That I shal wakyn al this companye ; 
But it shal not ben of Philosophies 
Ne phislyas^ ne termes queynte of lawe; 
Ther nis but litil Latyn in my mawe/' 11 90 

1174 Ost. 1190 is. 



THE SHIPMANNES TALE 139 

Here endith the Shipman his prolog. And next folwyng 
he bigynneth his tale, 

THE TALE. 

[Daun John^ a monk of Paris^ beguiles the wife of a 
merchant of St. Denis by money borrowed from her husband. 
She saves herself^ on the point of discovery, by a ready 
answer.] 



END-LINK 

Bihoold the murie wordes of the Hoost to the Shipman 
and to the lady Prioresse, 

"Wei seyd, by corpus dominus/' quod our Hoost, 1625 
"Now longe moote thou saille by the cost. 
Sir gentil maister, gentil maryneer. 
God yeve this monk a thousand last quade yeer ! 
A ha ! f elawes, beth ware of swich a j ape. 
The monk putte in the mannes hood an ape, l6S0 

And in his wyves eek, by Seint Austyn; 
Draweth no monkes moore unto your in. 
But now passe over, and lat us seke aboute. 
Who shal now telle first of al this route 

Another tale.^'' and with that word he sayde, 1635 

As curteisly as it had ben a mayde, 
"My lady Prioresse, by youre leve. 
So that I wiste I sholde yow nat greve, 
I wolde demen that ye tellen sholde 

A tale next, if so were that ye wolde. 1640 

Now wol ye vouchesauf, my lady deere.^'' 
"Gladly,'" quod she, and seyde as ye shal heere. 



THE PRIORESSES TALE 

The prologe of the Prioresses tale, 

Domine dominus noster. 

O lord oure lord^ thy name how merveillous 
Is in this large world ysprad — quod she — 
For noght oonly thy laude precious 1645 

Parfourned is by men of dignitee^ 
But by the mouth of children thy bountee 
Parfourned is_, for on the brest soukynge 
Somtyme shewen they thyn heriynge. 

Wherfore in laude^ as I best kan or may^ 1650 

Of thee^ and of the whyte lylye flour 

Which that the bar^ and is a mayde alway^ 

To telle a storie I wol do my labour; 

Nat that I may encreessen hir honour_, 

For she hirself is honour^ and the roote l655 

Of bountee^ next hir sone^ and soules boote. 

O mooder mayde ! O mayde mooder f re ! 

O bussh unbrent^ brennynge in Moyses sighte^ 

That ravysedest doun fro the deitee 

Thurgh thyn humblesse^ the goost that in thalighte^ I66O 

Of whos vertu^ whan he thyn herte lighte^ 

Conceyved was the Fadres sapience^ 

Help me to telle it in thy reverence. 

Lady^ thy bountee^ thy magnificence^ 

Thy vertu^ and thy grete humylitee^ 1665 

Ther may no tonge expresse in no science^ 

For somtyme^ lady^ er men praye to thee^ 

Thou goost biforn of thy benyngnytee 

And getest us the lyght^ thurgh thy preyere^ 

To gyden us unto thy sone so deere. 1670 

1651 whyte. 1669 thurgh lyght of. 



THE PRIORESSES TALE 141 

My konnyng is so wayk^ O blisful queene^ 

For to declare thy grete worthynesse^ 

That I ne may the weighte nat susteene^ 

But as a child of twelf monthe oold^ or lesse^ 

That kan unnethes any word expresse^ 1675 

Right-so fare I ; and therfore I yow preye_, 

Gydeth my song that I shal of yow seye. 



Heere higynneth the Prioresses Tale, 

Ther was in Asye^ in a greet citee_, 
Amonges cristene folk a Jewerye_, 

Sustened by a lord of that contree 1680 

For foule usure and lucre of vileynye^ 
Hateful to Crist and to his compaignye^ 
And thurgh this strete men myghte ride or wende^ 
For it was free and open at eyther ende. 

A litel scole of cristen folk ther stood 1685 

Doun at the ferther ende^ in which ther were 

Children an heep^ yeomen of cristen bloody 

That lerned in that scole yeer by yere 

Swich manere doctrine as men used there^ 

This is to seyn^ to syngen and to rede^ 1690 

As smale children doon in hir childhede. 

Among thise children was a wydwes sone^ 

A litel clergeoun^ seven yeer of age^ 

That day by day to scole was his wone^ 

And eek also^ wher as he saugh thymage 1695 

Of Cristes mooder^ he hadde in usage 

As hym was taught^ to knele adoun^ and seye 

His Ave Marie^ as he goth by the weye. 

1675 unnethe. 



142 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Thus hath this wydwe hir litel sone ytaught 

Oure blisful lady^ Cristas mooder deere^ 1700 

To worshipe ay ; and he f orgate it naughty 

For sely child wol alday soone leere. 

But ay^ whan I remembre on this mateere^ 

Seint Nicholas stant evere in my presence^ 

For he so yong to Crist dide reverence. 1705 

This litel child^ his litel book lernynge. 

As he sat in the scole at his prymer^ 

He '*Alma redemptoris'' herde synge 

As children lerned hir anthiphoner ; 

And as he dorste^ he drough hym ner and ner, 1710 

And herkned ay the wordes and the noote^ 

Til he the firste vers koude al by rote. 

Noght wiste he what this Latyn was to seye^ 

For he so yong and tendre was of age^ 

But on a day his felawe gan he preye 1715 

Texpounden hym this song in his langage^ 

Or telle hyra why this song was in usage ; 

This preyde he hym to construe and declare 

Ful often tyme upon hise knowes bare. 

His felawe^ which that elder was than he^ 1720 

Answer de hym thus^ "This song^ I have herd seye. 

Was maked of oure blisful Lady free_, 

Hir to salue^ and eek hir for to preye 

To been our help^ and socour whan we deye. 

I kan namoore expounde in this mateere^ 1725 

I lerne song^ I kan but smal grammere.'' 

*'And is this song maked in reverence 

Of Cristes mooder.^" seyde this innocent. 

**Now^ certes^ I wol do my diligence 

To konne it al^ er Cristemasse is went; v 1730 



THE PRIORESSES TALE 143 

Though that I for my prymer shal be shent 

And shal be beten thries in an houre^ 

I wol it konne^ oure lady for to honour e." 

His felawe taughte hym homward prively 

Fro day to day^ til he koude it by rote; 1735 

And thanne he song it wel and boldely 

Fro word to word acordynge with the note. 

Twies a day it passed thurgh his throte_, 

To scoleward^ and homward whan he wente; 

On Cristes mooder set was his entente. 1740 

As I have seyd^ thurghout the Jewerie 

This litel child^ as he cam to and f ro_, 

Ful murily than wolde he synge and crie 

"O Alma redemptoris' evere-mo. 

The swetnesse hath his herte perced so 1745 

Of Cristes mooder^ that to hir to preye 

He kan nat stynte of syngyng by the weye. 

Oure iirste foo^ the serpent Sathanas^ 
That hath in Jewes herte his waspes nest^ 
Up swal_, and seyde^ "O Hebrayk peple^ allas_, 1750 

Is this to yow a thyng that is honest_, 
That swich a boy shal walken as hym lest 
In youre despite and synge of swich sentence_, 
Which is agayn oure lawes reverence?'' 

Fro thennes forth the Jewes han conspired 1755 

This innocent out of this world to chace. 

An homycide therto han they hyred 

That in an aleye hadde a privee place ; 

And as the child gan forby for to pace^ 

This cursed Jew hym hente and heeld hym faste^ 1760 

And kitte his throte^ and in a pit hym caste. 

1741 Jueriee. 1743 than om. 1745 hath om. 1749, 1755, Jues. 



144 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

I seye that in a wardrobe they hym threwe. 

Where as thise Jewes purgen hire entraille. 

O cursed folk of Herodes al newe^ 

What may youre yvel entente yow availle? 1765 

Mordre wol out^ certeyn^ it wol nat faille^ 

And namely ther thonour of God shal sprede. 

The blood out crieth on youre cursed dede. 

O martir^ sowded to virginitee^ 

Now maystow syngen^ folwynge evere in oon 1770 

The white lamb celestial — quod she — 

Of which the grete Evaungelist Seint John 

In Pathmos wroot^ which seith that they that goon 

Biforn this lamb and synge a song al newe_, 

That never^ fleshly^ wommen they ne knewe. 1775 

This povre wydwe awaiteth al that nyght 
After hir litel child^ but he cam noght; 
For which^ as soone as it was dayes lyght^ 
With face pale of drede and bisy thoght^ 

She hath at scole and elles-where hym soght^ 1780 

Til finally she gan so fer espie^ 
That he last seyn was in the Jewerie. 

With moodres pitee in hir brest enclosed^ 

She gooth^ as she were half out of hir mynde^ 

To every place where she hath supposed 1785 

By liklihede hir litel child to finde^ 

And evere on Cristes mooder^ meeke and kynde, 

She cride^ and atte laste thus she wroghte^ 

Among the cursed Jewes she hym soghte. 

She frayneth^ and she preyeth pitously 1790 

To every Jew that dwelte in thilke place^ 
To telle hir if hir child wente oght forby. 
They seyde nay; but Jesu^ of his grace^ 

1782 Juerie. 1789 Jues. 



THE PRIORESSES TALE 145 

Yaf in hir thoght^ inwith a litel space^ 

That in that place after hir sone she cryde^ 1795 

Wher he was casten in a pit bisyde. 

O grete God^ that parfournest thy laude 
By mouth of innocentz_, lo^ heer thy myght ! 
This gemme of chastite_, this emeraude. 

And eek of martirdom the ruby bright^ 1800 

Ther he with throte ykorven lay upright^ 
He "Alma redemptoris*' gan to synge 
So loude^ that al the place gan to rynge. 

The cristene folk that thurgh the strete wente 
In coomen^ for to wondre upon this thyng^ 1805 

And hastily they for the Provost sente. 
He cam anon withouten tariyng^ 
And herieth Crist that is of hevene kyng^ 
And eek his mooder^ honour of mankynde; 
And after that_, the Jewes leet he bynde. 1810 

This child^ with pitous lamentacioun^ 
Uptaken was^ syngynge his song alway^ 
And with honour of greet processioun 
They carien hym unto the nexte abbay; 

His mooder swownynge by his beere lay^ 1815 

Unnethe myghte the peple that was theere 
This newe Rachel brynge fro his beere. 

With torment and with shameful deeth echon 

This Provost dooth the Jewes for to sterve^ 

That of this mordre wiste^ and that anon. 1820 

He nolde no swich cursednesse observe; 

Yvele shal have that yvele wol deserve. 

Therfore with wilde hors he dide hem drawe^ 

And after that he heng hem^ by the lawe. 

1822 he have. 



146 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Upon his beere ay lith this innocent 1825 

Biforn the chief auter^ whil masse laste^ 

And after that^ the abbot with his covent 

Han sped hem for to burien hym ful faste^ 

And whan they hooly water on hym caste^ 

Yet spak this child^ whan spreynd was hooly water^ 1830 

And song ''O Alma redemptoris mater/' 

This abbot^ which that was an hooly man^ 

As monkes been — or elles oghte be — 

This yonge child to conjure he bigan^ 

And seyde^ "O deere child^ I halse thee^ 1835 

In vertu of the hooly Trinitee ; 

Tel me^ what is thy cause for to synge 

Sith that thy throte is kut^ to my semynge/' 

"My throte is kut unto my nekke-boon^" 

Seyde this child^ *'and^ as by wey of kynde^ 1840 

I sholde have dyed^ ye, longe tyme agon^ 

But Jesu Crist^ as ye in bookes fynde^ 

Wil that his glorie laste and be in mynde^ 

And for the worship of his mooder deercy 

Yet may I synge "O Alma" loude and cleere. 1845 

This welle of mercy _, Cristes mooder swete^ 

I loved alwey as after my konnynge; 

And whan that I my lyf sholde f orlete^ 

To me she cam^ and bad me for to synge 

This antheme^ verraily^ in my deyynge^ 1850 

As ye han herd^ and whan that I hadde songe_, 

Me thoughte she leyde a greyn upon my tonge. 

Wherfore I synge^ and synge I moot certeyn 

In honour of that blisful mayden free^ 

Til fro my tonge of taken is the greyn. 1855 

1825 his this. 1826 the masse. 1835 halsen. 1850 anthephon. 



THE PRIORESSES TALE 147 

And afterward thus seyde she to me^ 
'My litel child, now wol I f ecche thee, 
Whan that the greyn is fro thy tonge ytake ; 
Be nat agast, I wol thee nat forsake/ '' 

This hooly monk_, this Abbot, hym meene I, I860 

His tonge out-caughte, and took awey the greyn. 

And he yaf up the goost ful softely ; 

And whan this Abbot hadde this wonder seyn, 

Hise salte teeris trikled doun as reyn. 

And gruf he fil al plat upon the grounde, 1865 

And stille he lay, as he had been ybounde. 

The covent eek lay on the pavement, 

Wepynge, and heryen Cristes mooder deere. 

And after that they ryse, and forth been went. 

And tooken awey this martir from his beere, 1870 

And in a temple of marbul stones cleere 

Enclosen they his litel body sweete. 

Ther he is now, God leve us for to ineete ! 

O yonge Hugh of Lyncoln, slayn also 

With cursed Jewes, as it is notable, 1875 

For it nis but a litel while ago, 

Preye eek for us, we synful folk unstable. 

That of his mercy God so merciable 

On us his grete mercy multiplie. 

For reverence of his mooder Marie. Amen. 1880 

1866 been leyn. 1873 alle for. 1876 is. 



Heere is ended the Prioresses Tale, 



PROLOGUE TO CHAUCER'S TALE OF 
SIR THOPAS 

Bihoold the murye wordes of the Hoost to Chaucer. 

Whan seyd was al this miracle^ every man 
As sobre was^ that wonder was to se^ 
Til that oure Hooste j apen tho bigan^ 
And thanne at erst he looked upon me^ 

And seyde thus^ "What man artow/' quod he, 1885 

*'Thou lookest as thou woldest fynde an hare^ 
For ever upon the ground I se thee stare. 

Approche neer_, and looke up murily; 

Now war yow^ sires_, and lat this man have place. 

He in the waast is shape as wel as I; 1890 

This were a popet in an arm tenbrace 

For any womman smal^ and fair of face. 

He semeth elvyssh by his contenaunce^ 

For unto no wight dooth he daliaunce. 

Sey now somwhat^ syn oother folk han sayd^ 1895 

Telle us a tale of myrthe^ and that anon.'' 

*' Hooste/' quod I^ '*ne beth nat yvele apayed^ 

For oother tale certes kan I noon 

But of a ryme I lerned longe agoon." 

**Ye, that is good/' quod he^ *'now shul we heere 1900 

Som deyntee thyng^ me thynketh by his cheere." 

1883, 1897, Hoost; tho to. 1899 rym. 1900 we ye. 



SIR THOPAS 

Heere bigynneth Chancers tale of Thopas, 

Listeth^ lordes^ in good entente 
And I wol telle verrayment 

Of myrthe and of solas^ 
Al of a knyght was fair and gent 1905 

In bataille and in tourneyment^ 

His name was Sir Thopas. 

Yborn he was in fer contree^ 

In Flaundres^ al biyonde the see^ 

At Poperyng in the place; 1910 

His fader was a man ful free^ 
And lord he was of that contree^ 

As it was Goddes grace. 

Sir Thopas wax a doghty swayn^ 

Whit was his face as payndemayn^ 1915 

Hise lippes rede as rose; 
His rode is lyk scarlet in grayn^ 
And I yow telle_, in good certayn^ 

He hadde a semely nose. ' 

His heer^ his berd^ was lyk safProun^ 1920 

That to his girdel raughte adoun ; 

Hise shoon of Cordewane. 
Of Brugges were his hosen broun^ 
His robe was of syklatoun 

That coste many a jane. 1925 

He koude hunte at wilde deer_, 
And ride an haukyng for river^ 
With grey goshauk on honde_, 

1922 shoos. 



150 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Therto he was a good archeer^ 

Of wrastlyng was ther noon his peer^ 1930 

Ther any ram shal stonde. 

Ful many a mayde^ bright in bour^ 
They moorne for hym^ paramour^ 

Whan hem were bet to slepe; 
But he was chaast and no lechour^ 1935 

And sweete as is the brembulflour 

That bereth the rede hepe. 

And so bifel upon a day^ 
Forsothe as I yow telle may^ 

Sir Thopas wolde out ride; 1940 

He worth upon his steede gray^ 
And in his hand a launcegay_, 

A long swerd by his side. 

He priketh thurgh a fair forest^ 

Therinne is many a wilde best^ 194^5 

Ye^ bothe bukke and hare^ 
And as he priketh north and est^ 
I telle it yow^ hym hadde almest 

Bitidde a sory care. 

Ther spryngen herbes_, grete and smale, 1950 

The lycorys and cetewale^ 

And many a clowe-gylcfre^ 
And notemuge to putte in ale^ 
Wheither it be moyste or stale^ 

Or for to leye in cofre. 1955 

The briddes synge^ it is no nay^ 
The sparhauk and the papejay 

That joye it was to heere^ 
The thrustelcok made eek hir lay^ 
The wodedowve upon a spray i960 

She sang ful loude and cleere. 



SIR THOPAS 151 

Sir Thopas fil in love-longynge^ 

Al whan he herde the thrustel synge^ 

And pryked as he were wood; 
His faire steede in his prikynge 1965 

So swatte that men myghte him wrynge. 

His sydes were al blood. 

Sir Thopas eek so wery was 
For prikyng on the softe gras^ 

So fiers was his corage^ 1970 

That doun he leyde him in that plas 
To make his steede som solas^ 

And yaf hym good forage. 

''O seinte Marie^ benedieite^ 

What eyleth this love at me 1975 

To bynde me so soore.^ 
Me dremed al this nyght^ pardee_, 
An elf-queene shal my lemman be^ 

And slepe under my goore. 

An elf-queene wol I love_, ywis^ 1980 

For in this world no womman is 

Worthy to be my make 

In towne; 
AUe othere wommen I forsake^ 
And to an elf-queene I me take 1985 

By dale and eek by downe.'* 

Into his sadel he clamb anon_, 
And priketh over stile and stoon 

An elf-queene for tespye^ 
Til he so longe hadde riden and goon 1990 

That he foond^ in a pryve woon^ 

The contree of Fairye 

So wilde; 



152 



THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 



For in that contree was ther noon 

That to him dorste ryde or goon^ 1995 

Neither wyf ne childe^ 

Til that ther cam a greet geaunt^ 
His name was Sir Olifaunt^ 

A perilous man of dede; 
He seyde ''Child, by Termagaunt, 2000 

But if thou prike out of myn haunt, 

Anon I sle thy steede 

With mace. 
Heere is the queene of Fayerye, 
With harpe and pipe and symphonye, 2005 

Dwellyng in this place." 

The child seyde, "Also moote I thee, 
Tomorwe wol I meete with thee, 

Whan I have myn armoure. 
And yet I hope, par ma fay, 2010 

That thou shalt with this launcegay 

Abyen it ful sowre. 

Thy mawe 
Shal I percen if I may 
Er it be fully pryme of day, 2015 

For heere thow shalt be slawe.'' 

Sir Thopas drow abak ful faste. 
This geant at hym stones caste 

Out of a f el staf-slynge ; 
But faire escapeth Child Thopas, 2020 

And al it was thurgh Goddes gras. 

And thurgh his fair berynge. 

Yet listeth^ lordes, to my tale, 
Murier than the nightyngale. 

For now I wol yow rowne 2025 

1995 line om. 2004 Fairye. 2020 Child Sir. 2025 For now om. 



SIR THOPAS 153 

How Sir Thopas^ with sydes smale, 
Prikyng over hill and dale 
Is comen agayn to towne. 

His murie men comanded he 

To make hym bothe game and glee, 2030 

For nedes moste he fighte 
With a geaunt with hevedes three. 
For paramour and jolitee 

Of oon that shoon ful brighte. 

"Do come/' he seyde, ''my mynstrales, 2035 

And geestours, for to tellen tales 

Anon in myn armynge ; 
Of romances that been roiales. 
Of Popes and of Cardinales, 

And eek of love-likynge/' 2040 

They f ette hym iirst the sweete wyn. 
And mede eek in a mazelyn, 

And roial spicerye. 
And gyngebreed that was ful fyn, 
And lycorys, and eek comyn, 2045 

With sugre that is so trye. 

He dide next his white leere 
Of clooth of lake, fyn and cleere, 

A breech, and eek a sherte. 
And next his sherte an aketoun, 2050 

And over that an haubergeoun. 

For percynge of his herte. 

And over that a fyn hawberk. 
Was al ywroght of Jewes werk, 

Ful strong it was of plate. 2055 

And over that his cote-armour 
As whit as is a lilye flour. 

In which he wol debate. 



154 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

His sheeld was al of gold so reed^ 

And therinne was a bores heed^ 2060 

A charbocle bisyde; 
And there he swoor on ale and breed^ 
How that "the geaunt shal be deed 

Bityde what bityde V 

Hise jambeux were of quyrboilly^ 2065 

His swerdes shethe of yvory^ 

His helm of laton bright^ 
His sadel was of rewel-boon^ 
His brydel as the sonne shoon_, 

Or as the moone light. 2070 

His spere it was of fyn ciprees^ 

That bodeth werre_, and no thyng pees. 

The heed ful sharpe ygrounde; 
His steede was al dappuU-gray, 
It gooth an ambil in the way 2075 

Ful softely and rounde 

In londe. 
Loo, lordes myne, heere is a fit; 
If ye wol any moore of it, 

To telle it wol I fonde. 2080 

The Second Fit, 

Now holde youre mouth, par charitee, 
Bothe knyght and lady free, 

And herkneth to my spelle ; 
Of batailles and of chivalry 
And of ladyes love-drury 2085 

Anon I wol yow telle. 

Men speken of romances of prys. 
Of Hornchild, and of Ypotys, 



SIR THOPAS 155 

Of Beves and Sir Gj, 

Of Sir Lybeux and Pleyndamour^ 2090 

But Sir Thopas^ he bereth the flour 
Of roial chivalry. 

His goode steede al he bistrood^ 
And forth upon his wey he glood 

As sparcle out of the bronde. 2095 

Upon his creest he bar a tour^ 
And therinne stiked a lilie-flour; 

God shilde his cors fro shonde! 

And for he was a knyght auntrous^ 

He noide slepen in noon hous^ 2100 

But liggen in his hoode. 
His brighte helm was his wonger^ 
And by hym baiteth his dextrer 

Of herbes fyne and goode. 

Hym-self drank water of the well, 2105 

As dide the knyght sir Percyvell 

So worly under wede. 
Til on a day 



Heere the Hoost stynteth Chaucer of his Tale of Thopas, 

*'Na moore of this, for Goddes dignitee,'' 
Quod oure hoost e, "for thou makest me 2110 

So wery of thy verray lewednesse, 
That also wisly God my soule blesse, 
Min eres aken of thy drasty speche. 
Now swich a rym the devel I biteche ! 
This may wel be rym dogerel/' quod he. 2115 

2094 rood. 2110 hoost. 



156 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

*'Why so ?'' quod I^ "why wiltow lette me 
Moore of my tale than another man 
Syn that it is the beste tale I kan?'* 
"By God/' quod he^ "for pleynly at a word 
Thy drasty rymyng is nat worth a toord^ 2120 

Thou doost noght elles but despendest tyme. 
Sir^ at o word thou shalt no lenger ryme. 
Lat se wher thou kanst tellen aught in geeste, 
Or telle in prose somwhat^ at the leeste. 
In which ther be som murthe or som doctryne." 2125 

"Gladly/' quod I^ "by Goddes sweete pyne, 
I wol yow telle a litel thyng in prose^ 
That oghte liken yow as I suppose^ 
Or elles^ certes^ ye been to daungerous. 

It is a moral tale vertuous^ 2130 

Al be it take somtyme in sondry wyse 
Of sondry folk as I shal yow devyse. 
As thus ; ye woot that every Evaungelist 
That telleth us the peyne of Jesu Crist 

Ne seith nat alle thyng as his felawe dooth, 2135 

But^ nathelees_, hir sentence is al sooth^ 
And alle acorden as in hir sentence^ 
Al be ther in hir tellyng difference. 
For somme of hem seyn moore^ and somme seyn lesse^ * 
Whan they his pitous passioun expresse; 2140 

I meene of Marke^ Mathsw^ Luc^ and John, 
But doutelees hir sentence is al oon, 
Therfore, lordynges alle, I yow biseche 
If that yow thynke I varie as in my speche. 
As thus, though that I telle somwhat moore 2145 

Of proverbes, than ye han herd bifoore. 
Comprehended in this litel tretys heere. 
To enforce with thefFect of my mateere. 
And though I nat the same wordes seye 

As ye han herd, yet to yow alle I preye, 2150 

2141 Mark. 



SIR THOPAS 157 

Blameth me nat; for_, as in my sentence 

Ye shul nat fynden moche difference 

Fro the sentence of this tretys lyte 

After the which this murye tale I write. 

And therfore herkneth what that I shal seye^ 2155 

And lat me tellen al my tale^ I preye/' 



THE TALE (in prose). 

[A young man called Melibeus_, whose wife Prudence and 
daughter Sophie (Wisdom) are maltreated by his foes in 
his absence^ is counseled with many wise sayings uttered by 
his wife tending toward peace and forgiveness^ instead of 
revenge.] 

2152 moche om. 



PROLOGUE TO THE MONKES TALE 

The murye wordes of the Hoost to the Monk. 

Whan ended was my tale of Melibee^ 
And of Prudence^ and hir benignytee^ 3080 

Oure hooste seyde^ **As I am feithful man^ 
And by that precious corpus Madrian^ 
I hadde levere than a barel ale 
That goode lief my wyf hadde herd this tale ! 
She nys nothyng of swich pacience 3085 

As was this Melibeus wyf_, Prudence. 
By Goddes bones^ whan I bete my knaves 
She bryngeth me forth the grete clobbed staves^ 
And crieth_, *Slee the dogges^ everichoon_, 

And brek hem^ bothe bak and every boon/ 3090 

And if that any neighebore of myne 
Wol nat in chirche to my wyf enclyne^ 
Or be so hardy to hir to trespace^ 
Whan she comth hoom she rampeth in my face_, 
And crieth^ 'false coward^ wrek thy wyf ! 3095 

By corpus bones^ I wol have thy knyf^ 
And thou shalt have my distaf and go spynne 
Fro day to nyght !' Right thus she wol bigynne. 
'Alias/ she seith^ 'that evere I was shape 
To wedden a milksop or a coward ape^ 3100 

That wol been overlad with every wight ; 
Thou darst nat stonden by thy wyves right !' 
This is my lif^ but if that I wol fighte^ 
And out at dore anon I moot me dighte^ 
Or elles I am but lost^ but if that I 3105 

3081 hoost. 3084 good. 3094 hoom om. 



PROLOGUE TO THE MONKES TALE 159 

Be lik a wilde leoun fool-hardy. 
I woot wel she wol do me slee som day 
Som neighebore_, and thanne go my way. 
For I am perilous with knyf in honde^ 

Al be it that I dar hir nat withstonde. 3110 

For she is byg in armes^ by my feith, 
That shal he fynde that hir mysdooth or seith — 
But lat us passe awey fro this mateere. 
My lord the Monk^'' quod he_, **be myrie of cheere^ 
For ye shul telle a tale, trewely. 3115 

Loo, Rouchestre stant heer faste by. 
Ryde forth, myn owene lord, brek nat oure game. 
But, by my trouthe, I knowe nat youre name; 
Wher shal I calle yow my lord daun John, 
Or daun Thomas, or elles daun Albon.^ 3120 

Of what hous be ye, by youre fader kyn ? 
I vowe to God, thou hast a ful fair skyn. 
It is a gentil pasture ther thow goost. 
Thou art nat lyk a penant or a goost. 

Upon my feith, thou art som officer, 3125 

Som worthy sexteyn, or som celerer. 
For by my fader soule, as to my doom. 
Thou art a maister whan thou art at hoom. 
No povre cloysterer, ne no novys, 

But a governour, wily and wys; 3130 

And therwith-al of brawnes and of bones 
A wel-farynge persone, for the nones. 
I pray to God, yeve hym confusioun 
That first thee broghte unto religioun. 

Thou woldest han been a tredefowel aright; 3135 

Haddestow as greet a leeve as thou hast myght 
To parfourne al thy lust in engendrure. 
Thou haddest bigeten ful many a creature. 
I Alias, why werestow so wyd a cope ? 
God yeve me sorwe, but, and I were a pope, 3140 

3129 cloystrer. 



160 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Nat oonly thou but every myghty man 

Though he were shorn ful hye upon his pan^ 

Sholde have a wyf^ for al the vrorld is lorn. 

Religioun hath take up al the corn 

Of tredyng^ and we borel men been shrympes. 3145 

Of fieble trees ther comen wrecched ympes. 

This maketh that our heyres ben so sclendre 

And feble^ that they may nat wel engendre; 

This maketh that oure wyves wole assaye 

Religious folk^ for ye mowe bettre paye 3150 

Of Venus paiementz than mowe we; 

God woot no lussheburghes payen ye. 

But be nat wrooth^ my lord^ for that I pleye^ 

Ful ofte in game a sooth I have herd seye." 

This worthy Monk took al in pacience, 3155 

And seyde^ **I wol doon al my diligence^ 

As fer as sowneth into honestee^ 

To telle yow a tale^ or two^ or three. 

And if yow list to herkne hyderward 

I wol yow seyn the lyf of seint Edward; 31 60 

Or ellis first tragedies wol I telle 

Of whiche I have an hundred in my eelle. 

Tragedie is to seyn^ a certeyn storie^ 

As olde bookes maken us memorie_, 

Of hym that stood in greet prosperitee 3165 

And is yfallen out of heigh degree 

Into myserie^ and endeth wrecchedly^ 

And they ben versified communely 

Of six feet^ which men clepen exametron. 

In prose eek been endited many oon^ 3170 

And eek in meetre^ in many a sondry wyse. 

Lo^ this declaryng oghte ynogh suffise ; 

Now herkneth^ if yow liketh for to heere. 

But firsts I yow biseeke in this mateere^ , 

Though I by ordre telle nat thise thynges, 3175 

1346-7 om. in MS. 3152 lussheburgh. 3160 yow om. 



PROLOGUE TO THE MONKES TALE l6l 

Be it of popes^ emperours^ or kynges^ 

After hir ages^ as men writen fynde^ 

But tellen hem^ som bifore and som bihynde^ 

As it now eomth unto my remembraunce ; 

Have me excused of myn ignoraunce. 3180 



THE MONKES TALE 

Heere higynneth the Monhes Tale de Casibus Virorum 

Illustrium, 

I wol biwaille in manere of Tragedie 
The harm of hem that stoode in heigh degree. 
And iillen so, that ther nas no remedie 
To brynge hem out of hir adversitee. 

For certein, whan that Fortune list to flee, 3185 

Ther may no man the cours of hire withholde; 
Lat no man truste on blynd prosperitee ; 
Be war of thise ensamples, trewe and olde. 

Lucifer 

At Lucifer, though he an aungel were. 
And nat a man^ at hym wol I biginne, 3190 

For though Fortune may noon aungel dere. 
From heigh degree yet fel he for his synne 
Doun into helle, where he yet is inne. 
O Lucifer, brightest of aungels alle. 

Now artow Sathanes, that mayst nat twynne 3195 

Out of miserie, in which that thou art falle. 

Adam 

Loo Adam, in the feeld of Damyssene, 
With Goddes owene fynger wroght was he. 
And nat bigeten of mannes sperme unclene. 
And welte all Paradys, savynge o tree. 3200 

Hadde nevere worldly man so heigh degree 
As Adam, til he, for mysgovernaunce. 
Was dryven out of hys hye prosperitee 
To labour, and to helle, and to meschaunce. 



THE MONKES TALE 163 

Sampson 

Loo Sampson^ which that was annunciat 3205 

By angel^ longe er his nativitee^ 
And was to God almyghty consecrate 
And stood in noblesse whil he myghte see^ 
Was nevere swich another as was hee^ 

To speke of strengthe and therwith hardynesse; 3210 

But to hise wyves toolde he his secree^ 
Thurgh which he slow hymself for wrecchednesse. 

Sampsoun^ this noble almyghty champioun^ 

Withouten wepene^ save his handes tweye^ 

He slow and al torente the leoun 3215 

Toward his weddyng walkynge by the weye. 

His false wyf koude hym so plese and preye 

Til she his conseil knew^ and she untrewe 

Unto hise foos his conseil gan biwreye^ 

And hym forsook^ and took another newe. 3220 

Thre hundred foxes took Sampson for ire^ 

And alle hir tayles he togydre bond_, 

And sette the foxes tayles alle on fire; 

For he on every tayl had knyt a brond^ 

And they brende alle the cornes in that lond^ 3225 

And alle hir olyveres and vynes eke. 

A thousand men he slow eek with his hond^ 

And hadde no wepene but an asses cheke. 

Whan they were slayn^ so thursted hym^ that he 

Was wel ny lorn^ for which he gan to preye 3230 

That God wolde on his peyne han som pitee^ 

And sende hym drynke_, or elles moste he deye; 

And of this asses cheke^ that was dreye^ 

Out of a wang-tooth sprang anon a welle 

Of which he drank anon^ shortly to seye^ 3235 

Thus heelp hym God^ as Judicum can telle. 

3214 tweyne. 



164 



THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 



By verray force at Gazan_, on a nyght^ 
Maugree Philistiens of that citee^ 
The gates of the toun he hath upplyght^ 
And on his bak ycaryed hem hath he 
Hye on an hille^ that men myghte hem see. 
O noble almyghty Sampson^ lief and deere^ 
Had thou nat toold to wommen thy secree^ 
In all this world ne hadde been thy peere. 



3240 



This Sampson nevere ciser drank^ ne wyn^ 3245 

Ne on his heed cam rasour noon^ ne sheere^ 

By precept of the messager divyn^ 

For alle hise strengthes in hise heeres weere. 

And fully twenty wynter^ yeer by yeere^ 

He hadde of Israel the governaunce. 3250 

But soone shal he wepen many a teere^ 

For wommen shal hym bryngen to meschaunce ! 

Unto his lemman Dalida he tolde 

That in hise heeres al his strengthe lay^ 

And falsly to hise fooman she hym solde; 3255 

And slepynge in hir barme upon a day 

She made to clippe or shere hise heres away^ 

And made hise foomen al this craft espyen. 

And whan that they hym foond in this array^ 

They bounde hym faste_, and putten out hise eyen. 3260 



But er his heer were clipped or yshave^ 

Ther was no boond with which men myghte him bynde, 

But now is he in prison in a cave^ 

Where as they made hym at the queerne grynde. 

O noble Sampson^ strongest of mankynde^ 3265 

O whilom juge in glorie and in richesse^ 

Now maystow wepen with thyne eyen blynde^ 

Sith thou fro wele art f alle in wrecchednesse ! 

3241 hill. 3251 wepe. 



THE MONKES TALE 165 

The ende of this caytyf was as I shal seye; 

Hise foomen made a feeste upon a day^, 3270 

And made hym as hir fool biforn hem pleye. 

And this was in a temple of greet array; 

But atte laste he made a foul affray, 

For he two pilers shook, and made hem falle. 

And doun fil temple and al, and ther it lay, 3275 

And slow hymself, and eek his foomen alle. 

This is to seyn, the prynces everichoon, 

And eek thre thousand bodyes were ther slayn 

With fallynge of the grete temple of stoon. 

Of Sampson now wol I namoore sayn: 3280 

Beth war by this ensample oold and playn 

That no men telle hir conseil til hir wyves 

Of swich thyng as they wolde han secree f ayn, 

If that it touche hir lymmes or hir lyves. 

Hercules 

Off Hercules the sovereyn conquerour 3285 

Syngen hise werkes laude and heigh renoun, 
For in his tyme of strengthe he was the flour. 
He slow and rafte the skyn of the leoun, 
He of Centauros leyde the boost adoun, 

He arpies slow, the crueel bryddes felle, 3290 

He golden apples refte of the dragoun. 
He drow out Cerberus the hound of helle. 

He slow the crueel tyrant Busirus, 

And made his hors to f rete hym, flessh and boon ; 

He slow the firy serpent venymus, 3295 

Of Acheloys two homes, he brak oon. 

And he slow Cacus in a Cave of stoon; 

He slow the geaunt Antheus the stronge, 

He slow the grisly boor, and that anon. 

And bar the hevene on his nekke longe. 3300 

3271 hir a. 3-274 tico the. 3296 homes two. 



166 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 



N 



Was nevere wight^ sith that this world bigan^ 

That slow so manye monstres as dide he. 

Thurghout this wyde world his name ran^ 

What for his strengthen and for his heigh bountee^ 

And every reawme wente he for to see. 3305 

He was so stroong that no man myghte hym lette ; 

At bothe the worldes endes^ seith Trophee^ 

In stide of boundes^ he a pileer sette. 

A lemman hadde this noble champioun^ 

That highte Dianira^ fressh as May^ 3310 

And as thise elerkes maken mencioun. 

She hath hym sent a sherte fressh and gay. 

AUas^ this sherte^ allas^ and weylaway ! 

Envenymed was so subtilly withalle^ 

That er that he had wered it half a day 3315 

It made his flessh al from hise bones falle. 

But nathelees somme elerkes hir excusen 

By oon that highte Nessus, that it maked. 

Be as be may^ I wol hir noght accusen ; 

But on his bak this sherte he wered al naked^ 3320 

Til that his flessh was for the venym blaked; 

And whan he saugh noon oother remedy e^ 

In hoote coles he hath hym-selven raked^ 

For with no venym deigned hym to dye. 

Thus starf this worthy myghty Hercules. 3325 

Lo^ who may truste on Fortune any throwe ? 

For hyni that f olweth al this world of prees^ 

Er he be war^ is ofte yleyd ful lowe. 

Ful wys is he that kan hymselven knowe. 

Beth war^ for whan that Fortune list to glose^ 3330 

Thanne wayteth she her man to overthrowe^ 

By swich a wey, as he wolde leest suppose. 

3314 Evenymed. 



THE MONKES TALE 167 

Nabugodonosor 

The myghty trone^ the precious tresor 
The glorious ceptre and roial magestee 

That hadde the kyng Nabugodonosor^ 3335 

With tonge unnethe may discryved bee. 
He twyes wan Jerusalem the citee; 
The vessel of the temple he with hym ladde. 
At Babiloigne was his sovereyn see^ 
In which his glorie and his delit he hadde. 3340 

The faireste children of the blood roial 

Of Israel he leet do gelde anoon^ 

And maked ech of hem to been his thral. 

Amonges other e^ Daniel was oon^ 

That was the wiseste child of every chon ; 3345 

For he the dremes of the kyng expouned 

Wheras in Chaldeye clerk ne was ther noon 

That wiste to what fyn hise dremes sowned. 

This proude kyng leet maken a statue of gold 

Sixty cubites long^ and sevene in brede^ 3350 

To which ymage bothe yonge and oold 

Comaunded he to loute and have in drede^ 

Or in a fourneys ful of flambes rede 

He shal be brent_, that wolde noght obeye. 

But nevere wolde assente to that dede S3 5 5 

Daniel^ ne hise yonge felawes tweye. 

This kyng of kynges proud was and elaat; 

He wende^ that God that sit in magestee 

Ne myghte hym nat bireve of his estaat; 

But sodeynly he loste his dignytee^ 3360 

And lyk a beest hym semed for to bee. 

And eet hey as an oxe and lay theroute; 

In reyn with wilde beestes walked hee 

Til certein tyme was ycome aboute. 

3351 To The; he bothe. 3352 he om. 



168 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

And lik an egles fetheres wex his heres^ S365 

Hise nayles lyk a briddes clawes weere_, 

Til God relessed hym a certeyn yeres^ 

And yaf hym wit^ and thanne^ with many a teere^ 

He thanked God; and evere his lyf in feere 

Was he to doon amys^ or moore trespace^ 3370 

And til that tyme he leyd was on his beere^ 

He knew that God was ful of myght and grace. 

Balthasar 

His sone which that highte Balthasar^ 
That heeld the regne after his fader day^ 
He by his fader koude noght be war^ 3375 

For proud he was of herte and of array ; 
And eek an ydolastre he was ay. 
His hye estaat assured hym in pryde; 
But Fortune caste hym doun and ther he lay. 
And sodeynly his regne gan divide. 3380 

A feeste he made unto hise lordes alle 

Upon a tyme, and bad hem blithe bee, 

And thanne hise officeres gan he calle, 

''Gooth, bryngeth forth the vesseles," quod he, 

'*Whiche that my fader, in his prosperitee, 3385 

Out of the temple of Jerusalem birafte, 

And to oure hye goddes thanke we 

Of honour, that oure eldres with us lafte.'' 

Hys wyf, hise lordes, and hise concubynes 

Ay dronken, whil hire appetites laste, 3390 

Out of thise noble vessels sondry wynes. 

And on a wal this kyng hise eyen caste. 

And saugh an hand armlees that wroot ful faste. 

For feere of which he quook and siked soore. 

This hand, that Balthasar so soore agaste, 3395 

Wroot 'Mane, techel, phares,' and na moore. 

3383 officers. 3384 vessels. 



THE MONKES TALE 169 

In al that land magicien was noon 

That koude expounde what this lettre mente. 

But Daniel expowned it anon^ 

And seyde^ *'Kyng^ God to thy fader lente 3400 

Glorie and honour^ regne^ tresour^ rente; 

And he was proud^ and nothyng God ne dradde^ 

x\nd therfore God greet wreche upon hym sente^ 

And hym birafte the regne that he hadde. 

He was out-cast of mannes compaignye^ 3405 

With asses was his habitacioun^ 

And eet hey as a beest in weet and drye^ 

Til that he knew by grace and by resoun 

That God of hevene hath domynacioun 

Over every regne and every creature^ 3410 

And thanne hadde God of hym compassioun 

And hym restored his regne and his figure. 

Eek thou that art his sone art proud, also, 

And knowest alle thise thynges verraily, 

And art rebel to God and art his foo. 3415 

Thou drank eek of hise vessels boldely. 

Thy wyf eek, and thy wenches synfully 

Dronke of the same vessels sondry wynys, 

And heryest false goddes cursedly; 

Therfore to thee yshapen ful greet pyne ys. 3420 

This hand was sent from God, that on the wal 

Wroot *Mane techel phares/ truste me ! 

Thy regne is doon, thou weyest noght at al, 

Dyvyded is thy regne^ and it shal be 

To Medes and to Perses yeve," quod he. 3425 

And thilke same nyght this kyng was slawe 

And Darius occupy eth his degree, 

Thogh he therto hadde neither right ne lawe. 

3400 lente sente. 3425 yeve om. 



170 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Lordynges^ ensample heer-by may ye take 

How that in lordshipe is no sikernesse ; 3430 

For whan Fortune wole a man forsake^ 

She bereth awey his regne and his richesse^ 

And eek hise f reendes^ bothe moore and lesse^ 

For what man that hath freendes thurgh Fortune 

Mishap wol maken hem enemys^ as I gesse; 3435 

This proverbe is ful sooth and ful commune. 

Cenobia 

Cenobia^ of Palymerie queene^ 
As writen Persiens of hir noblesse^ 
So worthy was in armes_, and so keene^ 

That no wight passed hir in hardynesse^ 3440 

Ne in lynage^ ne in oother gentillesse. 
Of kynges blood of Perce is she descended. 
I seye nat that she hadde moost fairnesse^ 
But of hire shap she myghte nat been amended. 

From hir childhede I fynde that she fledde 3445 

Office of wommen^ and to wode she wente^ 

And many a wilde hertes blood she shedde 

With arwes brode^ that she to hem sente. 

She was so swift that she anon hem hente^ 

And whan that she was elder^ she wolde kille 3450 

Leouns^ leopardes^ and beres al to-rente^ 

And in hir armes weelde hem at hir wille. 

She dorste wilde beestes dennes seke_, 

And rennen in the montaignes al the nyght 

And slepen under the bussh^ and she koude eke 3455 

Wrastlen by verray force and verray myght 

With any yong man^ were he never so wight; 

Ther myghte nothyng in hir armes stonde. 

She kepte hir maydenhod from every wight^ 

To no man deigned hir for to be bonde. 3460 

3441 nor in. 



THE MONKES TALE 171 

But atte laste hir freendes han hir maried 

To Odenake^ a prynce of that contree^ 

Al were it so that she hem longe taried^ 

And ye shul understonde how that he 

Hadde swiche fantasies as hadde she. 3465 

But nathelees^ whan they were knyt infeere^ 

They lyved in joye and in felicitee^ 

For ech of hem hadde oother lief and deere ; 

Save o thyng^ that she wolde nevere assente 

By no wey that he sholde by hir lye 3470 

But ones^ for it was hir pleyn entente 

To have a child the world to multiplye; 

And also soone as that she myghte espye 

That she was nat with childe with that dede^ 

Thanne wolde she suffre hym doon his fantasy e 3475 

Eft-soone and nat but oones^ out of drede. 

And if she were with childe at thilk^ cast^ 

Namoore sholde he pleyen thilke game 

Til fully fourty dayes weren past; 

Thanne wolde she ones suffre hym do the same, 3480 

Al were this Odenake wilde or tame^ 

He gat na moore of hir^ for thus she seyde^ 

It was to wyves lecheie and shame 

In oother caas^ if that men with hem pleyde. 

Two sones by this Odenake hadde she^ 3485 

The whiche she kepte in vertu and lettrure^ 

But now unto oure tale turne we; 

I seye^ so worshipful a creature^ 

And wys ther-with^ and large with mesure^ 

So penyble in the werre^ and curteis eke^ 3490 

Ne moore labour myghte in werre endure^ 

Was noon^ though al this world men wolde seke. 

3462, 3481, 3485, Onedake. 



\ 



172 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Hir riche array ne myghte nat be told 

As wel in vessel as in hir clothyng ; 

She was al clad in perree and in gold^ 3495 

And eek she lafte noght for noon huntyng 

To have of sondry tonges ful knowyng^ 

Whan that she leyser hadde^ and for to entende 

To lerne bookes was al hire likyng^ 

How she in vertu myghte hir lyf dispende. 3500 

And shortly of this proces for to trete^ 

So doghty was hir housbonde and eek she^ 

That they conquered manye regnes grete 

In the orient^ with many a f aire citee^ 

Apertenaunt unto the magestee 3505 

Of Rome^ and with strong hond held hem ful f aste^ 

Ne nevere myghte hir foomen doon hem flee^ 

Ay whil that Odenakes dayes laste. 

Hir batailles^ who-so list hem for to rede^ 

Agayn Sapor the kyng and other e mo^ 3510 

And how that al this proces fil in dede^ 

Why she conquered^ and what title had therto^ 

And after of hir meschief and hire wo^ 

How that she was biseged and ytake^ 

Lat hym unto my maister Petrak go^ 3515 

That writ ynough of this, I undertake. 

Whan Odenake was deed^ she myghtily 

The regnes heeld; and with hir propre hond 

Agayn hir foos she faught so cruelly 

That ther nas kyng ne prynce in al that lond 3520 

That he nas glad^ if he that grace fond 

That she ne wolde upon his lond werreye. 

With hir they makede alliance by bond 

To been in pees^ and let hire ride and pleye. 

3511 that om. 3512 had om. Soil Onedake. 3523 made. 



THE MONKES TALE 173 

The Emperour of Rome^ Claudius^ S525 

Ne hym bifore^ the Romayn Galien^ 

Ne dorste nevere been so corageus^ 

Ne noon Ermyn^ ne noon Egipcien^ 

Ne Surrien^ ne noon Arabyen^ 

With-inne the feeldes that dorste with hir fighte^ 3530 

Lest that she wolde hem with hir handes slen^ 

Or with hir meignee putten hem to flighte. 

In kynges habit wente hir sones two 

As heires of hir fadres regnes alle^ 

And Hermanno^ and Thymalao 3 58 5 

Hir names were^ as Persiens hem calle. 

But ay Fortune hath in hir hony galle; 

This myghty queene may no while endure. 

Fortune out of hir regne made hir falle 

To wrecchednesse and to mysaventure. 3540 

Aurelian_, whan that the governaunce. 

Of Rome cam into hise handes tweye^ 

He shoope upon this queene to doon vengeaunce^ 

And with hise legions he took his weye 

Toward Cenobie_, and shortly for to seye^ 354^5 

He made hir flee and atte last hir hente^ 

And fettred hir^ and eek hir children tweye^ 

And wan the land_, and hoom to Rome he wente. 

Amonges othere thynges that he wan^ 

Hir chaar^ that was with gold wroght and perree^ 3550 

This grete Romayn^ this Aurelian^ 

Hath with hym lad for that men sholde it see. 

Biforen his triumphe walketh shee^ 

With gilte cheynes on hir nekke hangynge ; 

Coroned was she^ after hir degree^ 3555 

And ful of perree charged hir clothynge. 

3553 Biforn. 



174 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

AUas^ Fortune! she that whilom was 

Dredful to kynges and to emperoures^ 

Now gaureth al the peple on hir^ alias! 

And she that helmed was in starke shoures 3560 

And wan by force townes stronge and toures 

Shal on hir heed now were a vitremyte^ 

And she that bar the ceptre ful of floures 

Shal bere a distaff hir costes for to quyte. 

[The 'modern instances' which follow here, are at the end of the Tale in 
this MS.] 

De Petro Rege Ispannie 

O noble^ O worthy Petro^ glorie of Spayne ! 3565 

Whom Fortune heeld so hye in magestee^ 
Wei oghten men thy pitous deeth complayne; 
Out of thy land thy brother made thee flee^ 
And after at a seege by subtiltee 

Thou were bitraysed^ and lad unto his tente 3570 

Where as he with his owene hand slow thee, 
Suecedynge in thy regne and in thy rente. 

The feeld of snow, with thegle of blak therinne 

Caught with the lymerod, coloured as the gleede. 

He brew this cursednesse and al this synne. 3575 

The wikked nest was werker of this nede, 

Noght Charles Olyvver, that took ay heede 

Of trouthe and honour^ but of Armorike 

Genyloun Olyver, corrupt for meede, 

Broghte this worthy kyng in swich a brike. 3580 

De Petro Rege de Cipro 

O worthy Petro, kyng of Cipre, also. 
That Alisandre wan by heigh maistrie, 
Ful many an hethen wroghtestow ful wo. 
Of which thyne owene liges hadde envye. 
And for nothyng but for thy chivalrie, 3585 

They in thy bed han slayn thee by the morwe. 



THE MONKES TALE 175 

Thus kan Fortune hir wheel governe and gye. 
And out of joye brynge men to sorwe. 

De Barnabo de Lumbardia 

Off Melan grete Barnabo Viscounte^ 
God of delit and scourge of Lumbardye^ 3590 

Why sholde I nat thyn infortune acounte_, 
Sith in estaat thow cloumbe were so hye ? 
Thy brother sone^ that was thy double allye 
For he thy nevew was_, and sone-in-lawe_, 
Withinne his prisoun made thee to dye^ 3595 

But why, ne how^ noot I that thou were slawe. 

De Hugelino Comite de Pize 

Off the Erl Hugelyn of Pyze the langour 
Ther may no tonge telle for pitee. 
But litel out of Pize stant a tour^ 

In whiche tour in prisoun put was he^ 3600 

And with hym been his litel children thre^ 
The eldeste scarsly fyf yeer was of -age. 
Allas^ Fortune^ it was greet crueltee 
Swiche briddes for to putte in swiche a cage ! 

Dampned was he to dyen in that prisoun^ 3605 

For Roger^ which that Bisshop was of Pize^ 

Hadde on hym maad a fals suggestioun^ 

Thurgh which the peple gan upon hym rise^ 

And putten hym to prisoun in swich wise 

As ye han herd^ and mete and drynke he hadde 3610 

So smal that wel unnethe it may suffise^ 

And therwithal it was ful povre and badde. 

And on a day bifil^ that in that hour 

Whan that his mete wont was to be broght^ 

The gayler shette the dores of the tour; 3615 

He herde it wel^ but he spak right noght — 

3600 which. 3611 wel om. 



176 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

And in his herte anon ther fil a thoght^ 

That they for hunger wolde doon hym dyen. 

*'Allas^'' quod he_, **allas_, that I was wroght!" 

Therwith the teeris iillen from hise eyen. 3620 

His yonge sone^ that thre yeer was of age^ 

Unto hym seyde^ 'Tader^ why do ye wepe? 

Whanne wol the gayler bryngen our potage? 

Is ther no morsel breed that ye do kepe? 

I am so hungry that I may nat slepe. 3625 

Now wolde God that I myghte slepen evere ! 

Thanne sholde nat hunger in my wombe crepe^ 

Ther is nothyng but breed that me were levere/' 

Thus day by day this child bigan to crye^ 

Til in his fadres barm adoun it lay^ 3630 

And seyde^ *'Farewel^ fader^ I moot dye!'* 

And kiste his fader^ and dyde the same day. 

And whan the woful fader deed it say^ 

For wo hise armes two he gan to byte^ 

And seyde^ ''AUas^ Fortune and weylaway! S6S5 

Thy false wheel my wo al may I wyte !" 

Hise children wende that it for hunger was 

That he his armes gnow^ and nat for wo^ 

And seyde^ 'Tader^ do nat so^ alias ! 

But rather ete the flessh upon us two. 3640 

Oure flessh thou yaf us^ take our flessh us fro^ 

And ete ynogh/' right thus they to hym seyde; 

And after that withinne a day or two 

They ley de hem in his lappe adoun^ and deyde. 

Hymself^ despeired^ eek for hunger starf^ 3645 

Thus ended is this myghty Erl of Pize. 
From heigh estaat Fortune awey hym carf^ 
Of this tragedie it oghte ynough suffise. 

3641 us om. 



THE MONKES TALE 177 

Whoso wol here it in a lenger wise^ 

Redeth the grete poete of Ytaille 3650 

That highte Dant^ for he kan al devyse 

Fro point to pointy nat o word wol he faille. 

Nero 

Al though that Nero were vicius 
As any f eend that lith in helle adoun^ 

Yet he^ as telleth us Swetonius^ S655 

This wyde world hadde in subjeccioun^ 
Bothe Est and West^ South and Septemtrioun ; 
Of rubies^ saphires^ and of peerles white 
Were alle hise clothes brouded up and doun^ 
For he in gemmes greetly gan delite. 3660 

Moore delicaat^ moore pompous of array_, 

Moore proud was nevere emperour than he. 

That ilke clooth that he hadde wered o day^ 

After that tyme he nolde it nevere see. 

Nettes of gold-threed hadde he greet plentee^ S665 

To fisshe in Tybre_, whan hym liste pleye. 

Hise lustes were al lawe in his decree^ 

For Fortune as his freend hym wolde obeye. 

He Rome brende for his delieasie; 

The senatours he slow upon a day^ 3670 

To heere how men wolde wepe and crie ; 

And slow his brother^ and by his suster lay. 

His mooder made he in pitous array^ 

For he hir wombe slitte^ to biholde 

Wher he conceyved was^ so weilaway 3675 

That he so litel of his mooder tolde ! 

No teere out of hise eyen for that sighte 

Ne cam; but seyde^ "A fair womman was she.*' 

Greet wonder is how that he koude or myghte 

Be domesman of hir dede beautee. 3680 

3657 South North. 



178 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

The wyn to bryngen hym comanded he^ 
And drank anon; noon oother wo he made^ 
Whan myght is joyned unto crueltee^ 
AUas^ to depe wol the venym wade ! 

In yowthe a maister hadde this emperour 3685 

To techen hym lettrure and curteisye^ 

For of moralitee he was the flour^ 

As in his tyme^ but if bookes lye. 

And whil this maister hadde of hym maistrye^ 

He maked hym so konnyng and so sowple^ 3690 

That longe tyme it was/er tirannye 

Or any vice dorste on hym uncowple. 

This Seneca^ of which that I devyse^ 

By-cause Nero hadde of hym swich drede^ 

(For he fro vices wolde hym chastise 369^ 

Discreetly as by word^ and nat by dede) 

''Sire/' wolde he seyn^ "an emperour moot nede 

Be vertuous and hate tirannye/' — 

For which he in a bath made hym to blede 

On bothe hise armes^ til he moste dye. 3700 

This Nero hadde eek of acustumaunce 

In youthe agayns his maister for to ryse^ 

Which afterward hym thoughte greet grevaunce; 

Therfore he made hym dyen in this wise^ 

But nathelees^ this Seneca the wise 3705 

Chees in a bath to dye in this manere^ 

Rather than han anoother tormentise^ 

And thus hath Nero slayn his maister deere. 

Now fil it so^ that Fortune liste no lenger 
The hye pryde of Nero to cherice; 3710 

For though that he was strongs yet was she strenger ; 
She thoughte thus^ *'By God, I am to nyce 

3686 teche. 3707 any oother. 



THE MONKES TALE 179 

To sette a man that is fulfild of vice 

In heigh degree^ and emperour hym calle. 

By God^ out of his sete I wol hym trice^ 3715 

Whan he leest weneth^ sonnest shal he falle/' 

The peple roos upon hym on a nyght 

For his defaute^ and whan he it espied 

Out of hise dores anoon he hath hym dight 

Allone^ and ther he wende han been allied 3720 

He knokked faste_, and ay the moore he cried^ 

The faster shette they the dores alle. 

P'or drede of this hym thoughte that he dyed^ 

And wente his wey_, no lenger dorste he calle. 

The peple cride^ and rombled up and doun^ 3725 

That with his erys herde he how they seyde^ 

"Where is this false tiraunt^ this Neroun?'' 

For fere almoost out of his wit he breyde^ 

And to hise goddes pitously he preyde 

For socour^ but it myghte nat bityde.' 3730 

For drede of this hym thoughte that he deyde^ 

And ran into a gardin hym to hyde. 

And in this gardyn f oond he cherles tweye^ 

That seten by a fyr greet and reed^ 

And to thise cherles two he gan to preye 3735 

To sleen hym and to girden of his heed^ 

That to his body whan that he were deed 

Were no despit ydoon^ for his defame. 

Hymself he slow^ he koude no bettre reed^ 

Of which Fortune lough and hadde a game. 37 iO 

De Oloferno 

Was nevere capitayn under a kyng 
That regnes mo putte in sub j eccioun_, 
Ne strenger was in feeld of alle thyng 



180 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

As in his tyme^ ne gretter of renoun^ 

Ne moore pompous in heigh presumpcioun^ 3745 

Than Oloferne^ which Fortune ay kiste 

So likerously^ and ladde hym up and doun 

Til that his heed was of er that he wiste. 

Nat oonly that this world hadde hym in awe 

For lesynge of richesse or libertee^ 3750 

But he made every man reneyen his lawe. 

^'Nabugodonosor was god/' seyde hee^ 

*'Noon oother god sholde adoured bee/' 

Agayns his heeste no wight dorste trespaee^ 

Save in Bethulia^ a strong citee^ 3755 

Where Eliachim a preest was of that place. 

But taak kepe of the deeth of Oloferne; 

Amydde his boost he dronke lay a nyght^ 

Withinne his tente^ large as is a berne; 

And yet for al his pompe and al his myght 3760 

Judith_, a womman^ as he lay upright 

Slepynge^ his heed of smooth and from his tente 

Ful prively she stal from every wight^ 

And with his heed unto hir toun she wente. 



De Rege Anthiocho illustri 

What nedeth it of kyng Anthiochus 3765 

To telle his hye roial magestee^ 
His hye pride_, hise werkes venymous ? 
For swich another was ther noon as he_, 
Rede which that he was in Machabee^ 

And rede the proude wordes that he seyde^ 3770 

And why he fil fro heigh prosperitee^ 
And in an hill how wrecchedly he deyde. 

3751 he oni. 



THE MONKES TALE 181 

Fortune hym hadde enhaunced so in pride 

That verraily he wende he myghte attayne 

Unto the sterres upon every syde^ 3775 

And in balance weyen ech montayne^ 

And alle the floodes of the see restrayne. 

And Goddes peple hadde he moost in hate; 

Hem wolde he sleen in torment and in payne^ 

Wenynge that God ne myghte his pride abate. 3780 

And for that Nichanore and Thymothee 

Of Jewes weren venquysshed myghtily_, 

Unto the Jewes swich an hate hadde he 

That he bad greithen his chaar ful hastily _, 

And swoor^ and seyde^ ful despitously^ 3785 

Unto Jerusalem he wolde eft-soone_, 

To wreken his ire on it ful cruelly ; 

But of his purpos he was let ful soone. 

God for his manace hym so soore smoot 

With invisible wounde^ ay incurable^ 3790 

That in hise guttes carf it so and boot 

That hise peynes weren importable. 

And certeinly^ the wreche was resonable_, 

For many a mannes guttes dide he peyne^ 

But from his purpos cursed and dampnable 3795 

For al his smert he wolde hym nat restreyne ; 

But bad anon apparaillen his hoost^ 

And sodeynly^ er he was of it war^ 

God daunted al his pride and al his boost^ 

For he so soore fil out of his char, 3800 

That it hise lemes and his skyn totar^ 

So that he neyther myghte go ne ryde^ 

But in a chayer men aboute hym bar 

Al forbrused^ bothe bak and syde. 



182 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

The wreche of God hym smoot so cruelly 3805 

That thurgh his body wikked wormes crepte; 

And therwithal he stank so horribly 

That noon of al his meynee that hym kepte 

Wheither so he wook or ellis slepte^ 

Ne myghte noght for stynk of hym endure. 3810 

In this meschief he wayled and eek wepte^ 

And knew God lord of every creature. 

To all his boost and to hymself also 

Ful wlatsom was the stynk of his careyne^ 

No man ne myghte hym bere to ne fro^ 3815 

And in this stynk and this horrible peyne 

He starf ful wrecchedly in a monteyne. 

Thus hath this robbour and this homycide^ 

That many a man made to wepe and pleyne^ 

Swich gerdoun as bilongeth unto pryde. 3820 

De Alexandre 

The storie of Alisaundre is so commune 
That every wight that hath discrecioun 
Hath herd somwhat or al of his fortune. 
This wyde world^ as in conclusioun, 

He wan by strength e, or for his hye renoun 3825 

They weren glad for pees unto hym sende. 
The pride of man and beest he leyde adoun 
Wher-so he cam^ unto the worldes ende. 

Comparison myghte nevere yet been maked 
Bitwixen hym and another conquerour^ 3830 

For al this world for drede of hym hath quaked. 
He was of knyghthod and of fredom flour. 
Fortune hym made the heir of hir honour. 
Save wyn and wommen nothyng myghte as wage 
His hye entente in armes and labour^ 3835 

So was he ful of leonyn corage. 
3807 so om. ; horriblely. 3832 was om. 3834 no man. 



THE MONKES TALE 183 

What pris were it to hym^ though I yow tolde 

Of Darius^ and an hundred thousand mo^ 

Of kynges^ princes^ erles^ dukes bolde^ 

Whiehe he conquered and broghte hem into wo? 3840 

I seye^ as fer as man may ryde or go^ 

The world was his^ what sholde I moore devyse ? 

For though I write or tolde yow everemo^ 

Of his knyghthode it myghte nat suffise. 

Twelf yeer he regned^ as seith Machabee^ 3845 

Philippes sone of Macidoyne he was^ 

That first was kyng in Grece the contree. 

O worthy gentil Alisandre^ allas^ 

That evere sholde fallen swich a cas ! 

Empoysoned of thyn owene folk thou weere; 3850 

Thy sys Fortune hath turned into aas 

And yet for thee ne weep she never a teere. 

Who shal me yeven teeris to compleyne 

The deeth of gentillesse and of franchise^ 

That al the world weelded in his demeyne? 3855 

And yet hym thought e it myghte nat suffise^ 

So ful was his corage of heigh emprise. 

AUas^ who shal me helpe to endite 

False Fortune_, and poyson to despise^ 

The whiehe two of al this wo I wyte? . 3860 

De Julio Cesare 

By wisedom^ manhede^ and by gret labour 
From humble bed to roial magestee 
Up roos he^ Julius the conquerour^ 
That wan al thoccident by land and see 
By strengthe of hand^ or elles by tretee^ 3865 

And unto Rome made hem tributarie; 
And sitthe of Rome the emperour was he^ 
Til that Fortune weex his ladversarie. 

3852 yet om. 3861 gret om. 



184 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

myghty Cesar^ that in Thessalie 

Agayn Pompeus^ fader thyn in lawe^ 3870 

That of the Orient hadde al the chivalrye 

As fer as that the day bigynneth dawe^ 

Thou thurgh thy knyghthod hast hem take and slawe^ 

Save fewe folk that with Pompeus fledde^ 

Thurgh which thou puttest al thorient in awe^ 3875 

Thanke Fortune, that so wel thee spedde ! 

But now a litel while I wol biwaille 
This Pompeus^ this noble governour 
Of Rome, which that fleigh at this bataille, 

1 seye, oon of hise men, a fals traitour, 3880 
His heed of-smoot to wynnen hym favour 

Of Julius, and hym the heed he broghte; 
Alias, Pompeye, of thorient conquerour. 
That Fortune unto swich a f yn thee broghte ! 

To 'Rome agayn repaireth Julius, 3885 

With his triumphe lauriat ful hye; 

But on a tyme Brutus Cassius 

That evere hadde of his hye estaat envye, 

Ful prively hath maad conspiracye 

Agayns this Julius in subtil wise, 3890 

And caste the place in which he sholde dye 

With boydekyns, as I shal yow devyse. 

This Julius to the Capitolie wente 

Upon a day, as he Was wont to goon; 

And in the Capitolie anon hym hente 3895 

This false Brutus and his othere foon^ 

And stiked hym with boydekyns anoon 

With many a wounde; and thus they lete hym lye. 

But nevere gronte he at no strook but oon. 

Or elles at two, but if his storie lye. 3900 



THE MONKES TALE 185 

So manly was this Julius of herte 

And so wel lovede estaatly honestee^ 

That though hise deedly woundes soore smerte^ 

His mantel over hise hypes caste he^ 

For no man sholde seen his privetee. S905 

And as he lay of diyng in a traunce^ 

And wiste verraily that deed was hee^ 

Of honestee yet hadde he remembraunce. 

Lucan_, to thee this storie I recomende^ 

And to Sweton^ and to Valerie also^ 3910 

That of this storie writen word and ende. 

How that to thise grete conqueroures two 

Fortune was first freend^ and sitthe foo^ 

No man ne truste upon hire favour longe 

But have hir in awayt for evere moo ! 3915 

Witnesse on alle thise conqueroures stronge. 

Cresus 

This riche Cresus whilom kyng of'Lyde^ 
Of whiche Cresus Cirus soore hym dradde^ 
Yet was he caught amyddes al his pryde^ 
And to be brent men to the fyr hym ladde. 3920 

But swich a reyn doun fro the welkne shadde 
That slow the fyr^ and made hym to escape ; 
But to be war no grace yet he hadde^ 
Til Fortune on the galwes made hym gape. 

Whanne he escaped was^ he kan nat stente 39^5 

For to bigynne a newe werre agayn; 

He wende wel^ for that Fortune hym sente 

Swich hap that he escaped thurgh the rayn^ 

That of hise foos he myghte nat be slayn; 

And eek a swevene upon a nyght he mette^ 3930 

Of which he was so proud and eek so fayn 

That in vengeance he al his herte sette. 

3910 Valerius. 3912, 3916 conquerours. 



186 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Upon a tree he was^ as that hym thoughte^ 

Ther Jupiter hym wessh bothe bak and syde^ 

And Phebus eek a fair towaille hym broughte^ 3935 

To dryen hym with; and therfore wax his pryde. 

And to his doghter that stood hym bisyde^ 

Which that he knew in heigh science habounde^ 

He bad hir telle hym what it signyfyde^ 

And she his dreem bigan right thus expounde. 39^0 

*'The tree^" quod she^ *'the galwes is to meene^ 

And Juppiter bitokneth snow and reyn^ 

And Phebus with his towaille so clene^ 

Tho been the sonne stremes for to seyn. 

Thou shalt anhanged be^ fader^ certeyn; 3945 

Reyn shal thee wasshe^ and sonne shal thee drye/* 

Thus warnede hym ful plat and ful pleyn^ 

His doghter^ which that called was Phanye. 

Anhanged was Cresus^ the proude kyng^ 

His roial trone myghte hym nat availle. 3950 

Tragedie is noon oother maner thyng^ 

Ne kan in syngyng crye ne biwaille^ 

But for that Fortune alwey wole assaille 

With unwar strook the regnes that been proude; 

For whan men trusteth hir^ thanne wol she faille^ 3955 

And covere hir brighte face with a clowde. 

3944 stremes bemes. 3947 warned. 3951 Tragedies. 3953 for om. 
Explicit Tragedia, 

Heere stynteth the Knyght the Monk of his tale. 



PROLOGUE TO THE NONNES 
PREESTES TALE 

The Prologue of the Nonnes Preestes Tale. 

**Hoo !" quod the Knyght^ **good sire_, namoore of this^ 
That ye han seyd is right ynough_, ywis^ 
And muchel moore^ for litel hevynesse 

Is right ynough to muche folk^ I gesse. 3960 

I seye for me^ it is a greet disese 
Where as men han been in greet welthe and ese^ 
To heeren of hir sodeyn f al_, alias ! 
And the contrarie is joye and greet solas^ 
As whan a man hath been in povre estaat^ 3965 

And clymbeth up_, and wexeth fortunate 
And there abideth in prosperitee. 
Swich thyng is glads om^ as it thynketh me^ 
And of swich thyng were goodly for to telle." 
**Ye/' quod our Hoost^ "by seinte Poules belle^ 3970 

Ye seye right sooth ! This Monk^ he clappeth lowde, 
He spak^ how Fortune covered with a clowde — 
I noot nevere what — and also of a 'Tragedie' — 
Right now ye herde ; and pardee^ no remedie 
It is for to biwaille ne compleyne 3975 

That that is doon; and als it is a peyne^ 
As ye han seyd^ to heere of hevynesse. 
Sire Monk^ namoore of this^ so God yow blesse ! 
Youre tale anoyeth al this compaignye; 

Swich talkyng is nat worth a boterflye^ 3980 

For ther-inne is ther no desport ne game. 
Wherfore sir Monk^ or daun Piers by youre name^ 
I pray yow hertely^ telle us somwhat elles^ 
For sikerly^ nere clynkyng of youre belles 

3957 of om. 3970 seint. 3982 or om. 



188 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

That on your bridel hange on every syde, 3985 

By hevene kyng^ that for us alle dyde^ 

I sholde er this han fallen doun for sleepe^ 

Althogh the slough had never been so deepe; 

Thanne hadde your tale al be toold in veyn. 

For^ certeinly^ as that thise clerkes seyn^ 3990 

Where as a man may have noon audience^ 

Noght helpeth it to tellen his sentence. 

And wel I woot the substance is in me^ 

If any thyng shal wel reported be. 

Sir^ sey somwhat of huntyng^ I yow preye." S995 

"Nay^" quod this Monk^ ''I have no lust to pleye; 

Not lat another telle as I have toold.'' 

Thanne spak oure Hoost^ with rude speche and boold^ 

And seyde unto the Nonnes Freest anon^ 

"Com neer_, thou preest_, com hyder^ thou_, sir John, 4000 

Telle us swich thyng as may oure hertes glade ; 

Be blithe, though thou ryde upon a jade. 

What thogh thyn hors be bothe foul and lene.^ 

If he wol serve thee, rekke nat a bene ! 

Looke that thyn herte be murie everemo." 4005 

"Yis sir/' quod he, *'yis, Hoost, so moot I go, 

But I be myrie, ywis, I wol be blamed." 

And right anon his tale he hath attamed. 

And thus he seyde unto us everichon, 

This sweete preest, this goodly man sir John. 4010 



THE NONNES PREESTES TALE 

Heere higynneth the Nonnes Preestes tale of the Cok and 
Hen, Chauntecleer and Pertelote, 

A povre wydwe^ somdel stape in age^ 
Was whilom dwellyng in a narwe cotage 
Biside a greve^ stondynge in a dale. 
This wydwe^ of which I telle yow my tale^ 
Syn thilke day that she was last a wyf, 4015 

In pacience ladde a ful symple lyf^ 
For litel was hir eatel and hir rente. 
By housbondrie^ of swich as God hir sente^ 
She foond hirself and eek hire doghtren two. 
Thre large sowes hadde she^ and namo^ 4020 

Three keen^ and eek a sheep that highte Malle. 
Fut sooty was hir hour and eek hire halle^ 
In which she eet ful many a sklendre meel — 
Of poynaunt sauce hir neded never a deel. 
No deyntee morsel passed thurgh hir throte^ 4025 

Hir diete was accordant to hir cote. 
Repleccioun ne made hir nevere sik^ 
Attempree diete was al hir phisik^ 
And exercise^ and hertes suffisaunce. 

The goute lette hir nothyng for to daunce^ 4030 

Napoplexie shente nat hir heed. 
Xo wyn ne drank she^ neither whit ne reed^ 
Hir bord was served moost with whit and blak^ 
Milk and broun breed^ in which she foond no lak^ 
Seynd bacoun^ and somtyme an ey or tweye^ 4035 

For she was as it were a maner deye. 
A yeerd she hadde^ enclosed al aboute 
With stikkes_, and a drye dych withoute^ 
In which she hadde a Cok^ heet Chauntecleer^ 
In al the land of crowyng nas his peer. 4040 



190 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

His voys was murier than the murie orgon 

On messedayes^ that in the chirche gon. 

Wei sikerer was his crowyng in his logge^ 

Than is a clokke^ or an abbey orlogge. 

By nature he crew eche ascencioun 4045 

Of the equynoxial in thilke toun; 

For whan degrees fiftene weren ascended, 

Thanne crew he, that it myghte nat been amended. 

His coomb was redder than the fyn coral. 

And batailled, as it were a castel wal. 4050 

His byle was blak, and as the jeet it shoon, 

Lyk asure were hise legges and his toon, 

Hise nayles whiter than the lylye flour. 

And lyk the burned gold was his colour. 

This gentil cok hadde in his governaunce 4055 

Sevene hennes, for to doon al his plesaunce, 

Whiche were hise sustres and his paramours. 

And wonder lyk to hym as of colours ; 

Of whiche the faireste hewed on hir throte 

Was cleped faire damoysele Pertelote. 4060 

Curteys she was, discreet, and debonaire 

And compaignable, and bar hyrself so faire 

Syn thilke day that she was seven nyght oold. 

That trewely she hath the herte in hoold 

Of Chauntecleer loken in every lith. 4065 

He loved hir so, that wel was hym therwith. 

But swiche a joye was it to here hem synge 

Whan that the brighte sonne gan to sprynge. 

In sweete accord, "My lief is faren in londe,"— 

For thilke tyme, as I have understonde, 4070 

Beestes and briddes koude speke and synge. 

And so bifel, that in the dawenynge. 
As Chauntecleer, among hise wyves alle. 
Sat on his perche, that was in the halle. 
And next hym sat this faire Pertelote, 4075 

4053 whitter. 4068 bigan. 



THE NONNES PREESTES TALE 191 

This Chauntecleer gan gronen in his throte 
As man that in his dreem is drecched soore. 
And whan that Pertelote thus herde hym roore 
She was agast^ and seyde_, **0 herte deere^ 
What eyleth yow^ to grone in this manere? 4080 

Ye been a verray sleper^ fy for shame l" 
And he answerde and seyde thus^ "Madame^ 
I pray yow that ye take it nat agrief. 
By God^ me thoughte I was in swich meschief 
Right now^ that yet myn herte is soore afright. 4085 

Now God/' quod he^ '*my swevene recche aright. 
And kepe my body out of foul prisoun. 
Me mette how that I romed up and doun 
Withinne our yeerd_, wheer as I saugh a beest 
Was lyk an hound, and wolde han maad areest 4090 

Upon my body, and han had me deed. 
His colour was bitwixe yelow and reed, 
And tipped was his tayl and bothe hise eeris 
With blak, unlyk the remenant of hise heeris ; 
His snowte smal, with glowynge eyen tweye. 4095 

Yet of his look, for f eere almoost I deye ! 
This caused me my gronyng, doutelees/' 
"Avoy !'' quod she, "Fy on yow hertelees ! 
Alias,'' quod she, "for by that God above 
Now han ye lost myn herte and al my love! 4100 

. I kan nat love a coward, by my f eith, 
For certes, what so any womman seith, 
We alle desiren, if it myghte bee. 
To han housbondes hardy, wise, and free. 
And secree, and no nygard, ne no fool, 4105 

Ne hym that is agast of every tool, 
Ne noon avauntour; by that God above. 
How dorste ye seyn for shame unto youre love 
That any thyng myghte make yow afred? 
Have ye no mannes herte, and han a herd? 4110 

Alias, and konne ye been agast of swevenys ? 



192 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

No thjng, God woot^ but vanitee in swevene is ! 

Swevenes engendren of replecciouns^ 

And ofte of fume and of complecciouns^ 

Whan humours been to habundant in a wight. 4115 

Certes^ this dreem which ye han met tonyght 

Cometh of greet superfluytee 

Of youre rede colera^ pardee^ 

Which causeth folk to dreden in hir dremes 

Of arwes_, and of fyre with rede lemes^ 4120 

Of grete beestes^ that they wol hem byte^ 

Of contekes^ and of whelpes grete and lyte; 

Right as the humour of malencolie 

Causeth ful many a man in sleep to crie 

For feere of blake beres^ or boles blake^ 4125 

Or elles blake develes wole hem take. 

Of othere humours koude I telle also 

That werken many a man in sleep ful wo^ 

But I wol passe as lightly as I kan. 

Lo Catoun^ which that was so wys a man^ 4130 

Seyde he nat thus^ 'ne do no f ors of dremes' ? 

Now^ sire/' quod she^ *'whan ye flee fro the bemes^ 
For goddes love as taak som laxatyf ! 
Up peril of my soule^ and of my lyf^ 

I conseille yow the beste^ I wol nat lye^ 4135 

That bothe of colere and of malencolye 
Ye purge yow ; and for ye shal nat tarie^ 
Though in this toun is noon apothecarie_, 
I shal myself to herbes techen yow^ 

That shul been for youre hele and for youre prow. 4140 
And in cure yeerd tho herbes shal I fynde^ 
The whiche han of hir propretee by kynde 
To purge yow bynethe and eek above. 
Foryet nat this^ for Goddes owene love ! 
Ye been ful coleryk of compleccioun ; 4145 

Ware the sonne in his ascencioun 
Ne fynde yow nat repleet of humours hoote. 



THE NONNES PREESTES TALE 193 

And if it do^ I dar wel leye a grote 

That ye shul have a fevere terciane_, 

Or an agu that may be youre bane. 4150 

A day or two ye shul have digestyves 

Of wormes^ er ye take youre laxatyves 

Of lawriol^ centaure^ and fumetere^ 

Or elles of ellebor that groweth there_, 

Of katapuce^ or of gaitrys beryis^ 4155 

Of herbe yve^ growyng in oure yeerd^ ther mery is ! 

Pekke hem up right as they growe^ and ete hem yn ! 

Be myrie^ housbonde_, for youre fader kyn_, 

Dredeth no dreem^ I kan sey yow namoore !" 

"Madame_,'' quod he^ **graunt mercy of youre loore^ 4l60 
But nathelees^ as touchyng Daun Catoun^ 
That hath of wysdom swich a greet renoun^ 
Though that he bad no dremes for to drede. 
By God^ men may in olde bookes rede 

Of many a man moore of auctorite 4165 

Than evere Caton vras^ so moot I thee^ 
That al the revers seyn of this sentence^ 
And han wel founden by experience 
That dremes been significaciouns 

As wel of joye as of tribulaciouns 4170 

That folk enduren in this lif present. 
Ther nedeth make of this noon argument^ 
The verray preeve sheweth it in dede. 
Oon of the gretteste auctours that men rede 
Seith thus^ that whilom two felawes wente 4175 

On pilgrimage in a ful good entente; 
And happed so^ they coomen in a toun 
Wher as ther was swich congregacioun 
Of peple^ and eek so streit of herbergage^ 
That they ne founde as muche as o cotage 4180 

In which they bothe myghte logged bee ; 
Wherfore they mosten of necessitee 

4174 auctour. 



191 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

As for that nyght departen compaignye^ 

And ech of hem gooth to his hostelrye^ 

And took his loggyng as it wolde falle. 4185 

That oon of hem was logged in a stalle^ 

Fer in a yeerd^ with oxen of the plough; 

That oother man was logged wel ynough^ 

As was his aventure or his fortune^ 

That us governeth alle as in commune. 4190 

And so bifel^ that longe er it were day 
This man mette in his bed^ ther as he lay^ 
How that his felawe gan upon hym calle 
And seyde_, 'Allas_, for in an oxes stalle 

This nyght I shal be mordred^ ther I lye! 4195 

Now help me_, deere brother_, or I dye; 
In alle haste com to me !' he sayde. 
This man out of his sleep for f eere abrayde ; 
But whan that he was wakened of his sleep^ 
He turned hym and took of it no keep. 4200 

Hym thoughte^ his dreem nas but a vanitee. 
Thus twies in his slepyng dremed hee^ 
And atte thridde tyme yet his felawe 
Cam^ as hym thoughte_, and seide_, 'I am now slawe^ 
Bihoold my bloody woundes depe and wyde ; 4205 

Arys up erly in the morwe-tyde^ 
And at the west gate of the toun/ quod he^ 
'A carte ful of donge ther shaltow se_, 
In which my body is hid ful prively. 

Do thilke carte arresten boldely; 4210 

My gold caused my mordre^ sooth to sayn.' — 
And tolde.hym every pointy how he was slayn^ 
With a ful pitous f ace^ pale of hewe ; 
And truste wel^ his dreem he f oond ful trewe. 
For on the morwe^ as soone as it was day^ 4215 

To his felawes in he took the way^ 
And whan that he cam to this oxes stalle^ 
After his felawe he bigan to calle. 



THE NONNES PREESTES TALE 195 

The hostiler answerde hym anon_, 

And seyde^ 'Sire^ your felawe is agon^ 4220 

As soone as day he wente out of the toun/ 

This man gan fallen in suspecioun^ 

Remembrynge on hise dremes that he mette^ 

And forth he gooth^ no lenger wolde he lette^ 

Unto the westgate of the toun; and fond 4225 

A dong carte_, as it were to donge lond^ 

That was arrayed in that same wise^ 

As ye han herd the dede man devyse. 

And with an hardy herte he gan to crye_, 

* Vengeance and justice of this felonye; 4230 

My felawe mordred is this same nyght_, 

And in this carte he lith gapyng upright. 

I crye out on the ministres/ quod he^ 

'That sholden kepe and reulen this citee ! 

Harrow! allas^ heere lith my felawe slayn!' 4235 

What sholde I moore unto this tale sayn? 

The peple out-sterte^ and caste the cart to grounde^ 

And in the myddel of the dong they founde 

The dede man^ that mordred was al newe. 

O blisful God^ that art so just and trewe! 4240 

Lo^ ho we that thou biwreyest mordre alway ! 
Mordre wol out^ that se we^ day by day. 
Mordre is so wlatsom and abhomynable 
To God that is so just and resonable^ 

That he ne wol nat suffre it heled be^ 4245 

Though it abyde a yeer^ or two^ or thre. 
Mordre wol out^ this my conclusioun. 
And right anon ministres of that toun 
Han hent the carter^ and so soore hym pyned^ 
And eek the hostiler so soore engyned 4250 

That they biknewe hire wikkednesse anon^ 
And were anhanged by the nekke bon. 
Heere may men seen^ that dremes been to drede ! 

And certes^ in the same book I rede 



196 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Right in the nexte chapitre after this — 4255 

I gabbe nat^ so have I joye or blis — 

Two men that wolde han passed over see 

For certeyn cause^ into a fer contree^ 

If that the wynd ne hadde been contrarie^ 

That made hem in a citee for to tarie^ 4260 

That stood ful myrie upon an haven-syde— 

But on a day_, agayn the even-tyde^ 

The wynd gan chaunge^ and blew right as hem leste. 

Jolif and glad they wente unto hir reste^ 

And casten hem ful erly for to saille^ 4265 

But herkneth^ to that o man fil a greet mervaille ; 

That oon of hem_, in slepyng as he lay^ 

Hym mette a wonder dreem agayn the day. 

Hym thoughte a man stood by his beddes syde^ 

And hym comanded that he sholde abyde^ 4270 

And seyde hym thus^ 'If thou tomorwe wende 

Thow shalt be dreynt ; my tale is at an ende/ 

He wook^ and tolde his felawe what he mette^ 

And preyde hym his viage for to lette^ 

As for that day^ he preyde hym to byde. 4275^ 

His felawe^ that lay by his beddes syde^ 

Gan for to laughe and scorned him ful faste. 

'No dreem/ quod he^ 'may so myn herte agaste 

That I wol lette for to do my thynges. 

I sette nat a straw by thy dremynges^ 4280 

For swevenes been but vanytees and japes. 

Men dreme al day of owles or of apes_, 

And of many a maze therwithal. 

Men dreme of thyng that nevere was^ ne shal; 

But sith I see that thou wolt heere abyde 4285 

And thus forslewthen wilfully thy tyde^ 

God woot it reweth me_, and have good day.' 

And thus he took his leve and wente his way ; 

But er that he hadde half his cours yseyled^ 

4274 for oni. 



THE NONNES PREESTES TALE 197 

Noot I nat why^ ne what myschaunce it eyled^ 4290 

But casuelly the ship23es botme rente^ 

And ship and men under the water wente 

In sighte of othere shippes it bisyde^ 

That with hem seyled at the same tyde. 

And therfore^ faire Pertelote so deere^ 4295 

By swiche ensamples olde yet maistow leere^ 

That no man sholde been to recchelees 

Of dremes^ for I seye thee doutelees 

That many a dreem ful soore is for to drede. 

Lo^ in the lyf of Seint Kenelm I rede^ 4300 

That was Kenulphus sone^ the noble kyng^ 
Of Mercenrike how Kenelm mette a thyng. 
A lite er he was mordred^ on a day 
His mordre in his avysioun he say. 

His norice hym expowned every deel 4305 

His swevene^ and bad hym for to kepe hym weel 
For traisoun^ but he nas but seven yeer oold^ 
And therfore litel tale hath he toold 
Of any dreem^ so hooly is his herte. 

By God^ I hadde levere than my sherte 4310 

That ye hadde rad his legende^ as have I. 
Dame Pertelote^ I sey yow trewely^ 
Macrobeus^ that writ the avisioun 
In AiFrike of the worthy Cipioun^ 

Affermeth dremes, and seith that they been 4315 

Warnynge of thynges_, that men after seen. 
And forther-moore I pray yow looketh wel 
In the olde testament of Daniel^ 
If he heeld dremes any vanitee ! 

Reed eek of Joseph^ and ther shul ye see 4320 

Wlier dremes be somtyme^ I sey nat alle^ 
Warnynge of thjmges that shul after falle. 
Looke of Egipte the kyng, daun Pharao^ 
His baker and his butiller also^ 
4302 Mertenrike. 



198 



THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 



Wher they ne felte noon effect in dremes ! 4325 

Whoso wol seken actes of sondry remes 

May rede of dremes many a wonder thyng. 

Lo Cresus^ which that was of Lyde kyng^ 

Mette he nat that he sat upon a tree^ 

Which signified^ he sholde anhanged bee? 4330 

Lo here Adromacha^ Ectores wyf^ 

That day that Ector sholde lese his lyf 

She dremed on the same nyght biforn 

How that the lyf of Ector sholde be lorn^ 

If thilke day he wente into bataille. 4335 

She warned hym^ but it myghte nat availle; 

He wente for to fighte natheles^ 

But he was slayn anon of Achilles. 

But thilke is al to longe for to telle^ 

And eek it is ny day^ I may nat dwelle. 4340 

Shortly I seye^ as for conclusioun^ 

That I shal han of this avisioun 

Adversitee^ and I seye forthermoor 

That I ne telle of laxatyves no stoor^ 

For they been venymes^ I woot it weel^ 4345 

I hem diffye^ I love hem never a deel. 

Now let us speke of myrthe^ and stynte al this ; 
Madame Pertelote^ so have I blis^ 
Of o thyng God hath sent me large grace^ 
For whan I se the beautee of youre face^ 4350 

Ye been so scarlet reed aboute youre eyen^ 
It maketh al my drede for to dyen. 
For^ al so siker as In principio 
Mulier est hominis confusio_, — 

Madame^ the sentence of this Latyn is^ 4355 

'Womman is mannes joye and al his blis/ 
For whan I feele a-nyght your softe syde^ 
Al be it that I may nat on yow ryde^ 
For that oure perche is maad so narwe^ alias ! 
I am so ful of joye and of solas, 4360 



THE NONNES PREESTES TALE 199 

That I diffye bothe swevene and dreem/' 

And with that word he fly doun fro the beem^ 

For it was day^ and eke hise hennes alle ; 

And with a chuk he gan hem for to calle_, 

For he hadde founde a corn lay in the yerd. 4}S65 

Real he was^ he was namoore aferd; 

And f ether ed Pertelote twenty tyme^ 

And trad as ofte_, er that it was pryme. 

He looketh as it were a grym leoun^ 

And on hise toos he rometh up and doun^ 4370 

Hym deigned nat to sette his foot to grounde. 

He chukketh whan he hath a corn yfounde^ 

And to hym rennen thanne hise wyves alle. 

Thus roial as a prince is in an halle_, 

Leve I this Chauntecleer in his pasture_, 4375 

And after wol I telle his aventure. 

Whan that the monthe in which the world bigan 
That highte March^ whan God first maked man^ 
Was complect^ and passed were also , 

Syn March bigan^ thritty dayes and two^ 4380 

Bifel that Chauntecleer in al his pryde^ 
Hise sevene wyves walkynge by his syde^ 
Caste up hise eyen to the brighte sonne^ 
That in the signe of Taurus hadde yronne 
Twenty degrees and oon^ and somwhat moore; 4385 

And knew by kynde^ and by noon oother loore^ 
That it was pryme^ and crew with blisful stevene. 
*'The Sonne/' he seyde^ "is clomben upon hevene 
Fourty degrees and oon^ and moore^ ywis. 
Madame Pertelote^ my worldes blis^ 4390 

Herkneth thise blisful briddes how they synge^ 
And se the fresshe floures how they sprynge. 
Ful is myn herte of revel and solas/' 
But sodeynly hym fil a sorweful cas^ 
For evere the latter ende of joye is wo. 4395 

4368 that om. 



200 



THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 



God woot that worldly joye is soone ago^ 

And if a retlior koude faire endite^ 

He in a cronycle saufly myghte it write^ 

As for a sovereyn notabilitee. 

Now every wys man^ lat him herkne me: 4400 

This storie is al so trewx^ I undertake^ 

As is the book of Launcelot de Lake^ 

That w^ommen holde in ful greet reverence. 

Now wol I come agayn to my sentence. 

A colfox^ ful of sly iniquitee^ 4405 

That in the grove hadde wonned yeres three^ 
By heigh ymaginacioun forn-cast^ 
The same nyght thurghout the hegges brast 
Into the yerd^ ther Chauntecleer the faire 
Was wont^ and eek hise wyves_, to repaire; 4410 

And in a bed of wortes stille he lay^ 
Til it was passed undren of the day^ 
Waitynge his tyme on Chauntecleer to falle^ 
As gladly doon thise homycides alle 

That in await liggen to mordre men. 4415 

O false mordrour^ lurkynge in thy den! 
O newe Scariot ! newe Genyloun ! 
False dissymulour^ O Greek Synoun 
That broghtest Troye al outrely to sorwe ! 
O Chauntecleer^ acursed be that morwe 4420 

That thou into that yerd flaugh fro the hemes ! 
Thou were ful wel ywarned by thy dremes 
That thilke day was perilous to thee; 
But what that God forwoot moot nedes bee^ 
After the opinioun of certein clerkis. 4425 

Witnesse on hym^ that any parfit clerk is^ 
That in scole is greet altercacioun 
In this mateere_, and greet disputisoun^ 
And hath been of an hundred thousand men; — 
But I ne kan nat bulte it to the bren^ 4430 

As kan the hooly doctour Augustyn, 



THE NONNES PREESTES TALE 201 

Or Boece or the Bisshop Bradwardyn^ — ■ 

Wheither that Goddes worthy forwityng 

Streyneth me nedefully to doon a thyng^ 

(Nedely clepe I symple necessitee) it^tSS 

Or elles^ if free choys be graunted me 

To do that same thyng^ or do it noght^ 

Though God forwoot it^ er that it was wroght; 

Or if his wityng streyneth never a deel 

But by necessitee condicioneel^ — 4440 

I wil nat han to do of swich mateere ; 

My tale is of a Cok^ as ye may heere^ 

That took his conseil of his wyf^ with sorwe^ 

To walken in the yerd^ upon that morwe 

That he hadde met that dreem^ that I of tolde. 4445 

Wommennes conseils been ful ofte colde; 

Wommannes conseil broghte us first to wo^ 

And made Adam fro Paradys to go^ 

Ther as he was ful myrie^ and wel at ese. 

But for I noot to whom it myght displese^ 4450 

If I conseil of wommen wolde blame_, 

Passe over^ for I seye it in my game. 

Rede auctours^ wher they trete of swich mateere, 

And w^hat they seyn of wommen ye may heere. 

Thise been the cokkes wordes, and nat myne, 4455 

I kan noon harm of no womman divyne. 

Faire in the soond^ to bathe hire myrily, 
Lith Pertelote^ and alle hir sustres by^ 
Agayn the sonne; and Chauntecleer so free 
Soong murier than the mermayde in the see — 4460 

For Phisiologus seith sikerly 
How that they syngen wel and myrily. 
And so bifel, that as he cast his eye 
Among the wortes on a boterflye. 

He was war of this fox that lay ful lowe. 4465 

Nothyng ne liste hym thanne for to crowe, 

4448 fro out of. 



202 



THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 



But cride anon_, '*cok ! cok V and up he sterte_, 

As man that was affrayed in his herte. 

For natureelly a beest desireth flee 

Fro his contrarie_, if he may it see^ 4470 

Though he never erst hadde seyn it with his eye. 

This Chauntecleer_, whan he gan hym espye^ 

He wolde han fled^ but that the fox anon 

Seyde^ ''Gentil sire_, allas^ wher wol ye gon? 

Be ye affrayed of me that am youre freend? 4475 

Now certes^ I were worse than a feend 

If I to yow wolde harm or vileynye. 

I am nat come your conseil for tespye^ 

But trewely^ the cause of my comynge 

Was oonly for to herkne how that ye synge. 4480 

For trewel3^_, ye have as myrie a stevene 

As any aungel hath that is in hevene. 

Therwith ye han in musyk moore feelynge 

Than hadde Boece_, or any that kan synge. 

My lord youre fader — God his soule blesse ! — 4485 

And eek youre mooder^ of hir gentillesse 

Han in myn hous ybeen_, to my greet ese; 

And certes^ sire^ ful fayn wolde I yow plese. 

But for men speke of syngyng^ I wol seye^ 

So moote I brouke wel myne eyen tweye^ 4490 

Save yow I herde nevere man yet synge 

As dide youre fader in the morwenynge. 

Certes^ it was of herte al that he song ! 

And for to make his voys the moore strongs 

He wolde so peyne hym^ that with bothe hise eyen 4495 

He moste wyi^ke^so loude he wolde cryen^ 

And stonden on his tiptoon therwithal^ 

And strecche forth his nekke long and smal. 

And eek he was of swich discrecioun^ 

That ther nas no man in no regioun_, 4500 

That hym in song or wisedom myghte passe. 

4482 hath om. 4489 yow seye. 4491 lierde I. 



THE NONNES PREESTES TALE 203 

I have wel rad in daun Burnel the Asse 

Among hise vers^, how that ther was a cok^ 

For that a preestes sone yaf hym a knok^ 

Upon his Itgy whil he was yong and nyce^ 4505 

He made hym for to lese his benefice. 

But certeyn_, ther nys no comparisoun 

Bitwixe the wisedom and discrecioun 

Of youre fader^ and of his subtiltee. 

Now syngeth_, sire_, for seinte charitee_, 4510 

Lat se konne ye youre fader countrefete I" 

This Chauntecleer hise wynges gan to bete^ 

As man that koude his traysoun nat espie_, 

So was he ravysshed with his flaterie. 

Allas^ ye lordes ! many a fals flatour 4515 

Is in youre courtes^ and many a losengeour^ 
That plesen yow wel moore^ by my feith^ 
Than he that soothfastnesse unto yow seith. 
Redeth Ecclesiaste of Flaterye; 

Beth war_, ye lordes^ of hir trecherye. 4520 

This Chauntecleer stood hye upon his toos^ 
Strecchynge his nekke^ and heeld hise eyen cloos^ 
And gan to crowe loude for the nones^ 
And daun Russell the fox stirte up atones^ 
And by the gargat hente Chauntecleer^ 4525 

And on his bak toward the wode hym beer^ 
For yet ne was ther no man that hym sewed. 

O destinee^ that mayst nat been eschewed! 
Allas^ that Chauntecleer fleigh fro the hemes ! 
Allas^ his wyf ne roghte nat of dremes ! 4530 

And on a Friday fil al this meschaunce. 
O Venus^ that art goddesse of plesaunce ! 
Syn that thy servant was this Chauntecleer^ 
And in thy servyce dide al his poweer_, 

Moore for delit^ than world to multiply e^ 4535 

Why woltestow suffre hym on thy day to dye ? 
O Gaufred^ deere Maister soverayn ! 



204 



THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 



That whan thy worthy kyng Richard was slayn 

With shot_, compleynedest his deeth so soore^ 

Why ne hadde I now thy sentence and thy loore^ 4540 

The Friday for to chide^ as diden ye? — 

For on a Friday soothly slayn was he. 

Thanne wolde I shewe yow^ how that I koude pleyne 

For Chauntecleres drede and for his peyne. 

Certes^ swich cry ne lamentacioun 4545 

Was nevere of ladyes maad^ whan Ylioun 

Was wonne^ and Pirrus with his streite swerd^ 

Whaij he hadde hent kyng Priam by the berd^, 

And slayn hym^ as seith us Eneydos^ 

As maden alle the hennes in the clos^ 4550 

Whan they had seyn of Chauntecleer the sighte. 

But sovereynly dame Pertelote shrighte 

Ful louder than dide Hasdrubales wyf^ 

Whan that hir housbonde hadde lost his lyf^ 

And that the Romayns hadde brend Cartage; 4555 

She was so ful of torment and of rage 

That wilfully into the fyr she sterte^ 

And brende hirselven with a stedefast herte. 

O woful hennes_, right so criden ye_, 

As whan that Nero brende the Citee 4560 

Of Rome^ cryden senatoures wyves^ 

For that hir husbondes losten alle hir lyves^ 

Withouten gilt this Nero hath hem slayn. 

Now I wole turne to my tale agayn. 

This sely wydwe^ and eek hir doghtres two^ 4565 

Herden thise hennes crie^ and maken wo^ 
And out at dores stirten they anon^ 
And syen the fox toward the grove gon_, 
And bar upon his bak the cok away; 

And cryden^ '*Out! harrow! and weylaway ! 4570 

Ha ! ha ! the fox \" and after hym they ran^ 
And eek with staves many another man^ 

4552 sodeynly. 4561 senatours. 4564 turne I wole. 



THE NONNES PREESTES TALE 205 

Ran Colle^ oure dogge, and Talbot^ and Gerland^ 

And Malkyn with a dystaf in hir hand^ 

Ran cow and calf^ and eek the verray hogges, 4575 

So were they fered for berkyng of the dogges^ 

And shoutyng of the men and wommen eek, 

They ronne so/ hem thoughte hir herte breek; 

They yolleden as feendes doon in helle^ 

The dokes cryden as men wolde hem quelle^ 4580 

The gees for f eere flowen over the trees. 

Out of the hyve cam the swarm of bees, 

So hydous was the noyse, a ! benedicitee ! 

Certes, he Jakke Straw and his meynee 

Ne made nevere shoutes half so shille, 4585 

Whan that they wolden any Flemyng kille, 

As thilke day was maad upon the fox. 

Of bras they broghten hemes and of box, 

Of horn, of boon, in whiche they blewe and powped. 

And therwithal they skriked and they howped, 4590 

It seemed as that hevene sholde f alle 1 

Now, goode men, I pray yow, herkneth alle. 

Lo, how Fortune turneth sodeynly 
The hope and pryde eek of hir enemy 

This cok, that lay upon the foxes bak, 4595 

In al his drede unto the fox he spak. 
And seyde, *'Sire, if that I were as ye, 
Yet wolde I seyn, as wys God helpe me, 
'Turneth agayn, ye proude cherles alle, 

A verray pestilence upon yow falle, 4600 

Now am I come unto the wodes syde, 
Maugree youre heed, the cok shal heere abyde, 
I wol hym ete, in feith, and that anon.' " 
The fox answerde, **In feith, it shal be don.'' 
And as he spak that word, al sodeynly 4605 

This cok brak from his mouth delyverly. 
And heighe upon a tree he fleigh anon. 

4575 eek om. 4576 were they om. 4594 eek om. 



206 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

And whan the fox saugh that he was gon, 
"Alias !" quod he^ "O Chauntecleer^ alias ! 
I have to yow/' quod he^ 'Vdoon trespas^ 4610 

In as muche as I maked yow aferd^ 
Whan I yow hente and broght into this yerd. 
But_, sire^ I dide it of no wikke entente^ 
Com doun_, and I shal telle yow what I mente ; 
I shal seye sooth to yow^ God help me so." 4615 

''Nay^ thanne/' quod he^ '*I shrewe us bothe two^ 
And first I shrewe myself bothe blood and bones^ 
If thou bigyle me ofter than ones. 
Thou shalt namoore^ thurgh thy flaterye^ 
Do me to synge and wynke with myn eye ; 4620 

For he that wynketh whan he sholde see_, 
Al wilfully _, God lat him nevere thee.'' 
''Nay^'' quod the fox^ ''but God yeve hym meschaunce^ 
That is so undiscreet of governaunee^ 
That jangleth^ whan he sholde holde his pees." 4625 

Lo^ swich it is for to be reechelees^ 
And necligent^ and truste on flaterye ! 
But ye that holden this tale a folye_, 
As of a fox^ or of a cok and hen^ 

Taketh the moralite^ goode men; 4630 

For seint Paul seith^ that al that writen is^ 
To oure doctrine it is ywrite^ ywis. 
Taketh the fruyt^ and lat the chaf be stille. 
Now goode God^ if that it be thy wille^ 

As seith my lord^ so make us alle goode men^ 4635 

And brynge us to his heighe blisse. Amen. 

4618 any ofter. 

Heere is ended the Nonnes Preestes tale. 



Note.— The sixteen lines of Epilogue to this Tale are here omitted. The 
tone, and in part, the very words, are a repetition of the Prolog-ue to the 
Monkes Tale. This cannot have been Chaucer's intention, and the Epilogue 
may therefore be either spurious, or a trial link, rejected after the Monkes 
Prologue was written. 



4 



GROUP C. 

THE PHISICIENS TALE 

Heere folweth the Phisiciens tale. 

Ther was^ as telleth Titus Livius^ 
A knyght that called was Virginius^ 
Fuliild of honour and of worthynesse^ 
And strong of freendes^ and of greet richesse. 
This knyght a doghter hadde by his wyf^ 5 

No children hadde he mo in al his lyf . 
Fair was this mayde in excellent beautee 
Aboven every wight that man may see. 
For Nature hath with sovereyn diligence 
Y formed hir in so greet excellence_, 10 

As though she wolde seyn^ "Lo/I^ Nature^ 
Thus kan I forme and peynte a creature 
Whan that me list; who kan me countrefete? 
Pigmalion noght^ though he ay forge and bete^ 
Or grave^ or peynte^ for I dar wel seyn 15 

Apelles^ Zanzis sholde werche in veyn 
Outher to grave or peynte^ or forge^ or bete^ 
If they presumed me to countrefete. 
For He that is the former principal 

Hath maked me his vicaire general 20 

To forme and peynten erthely creaturis 
Right as me list^ and ech thyng in my cure is 
Under the Moone^ that may wane and waxe^ 
And for my werk right nothyng wol I axe. 
My lord and I been ful of oon accord; 25 

I made hir to the worship of my lord^ 
So do I alle myne othere creatures^ 
What colour that they han^ or what figures.'* 

2 was called. 



208 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Thus semeth me that Nature wolde seje. 

This mayde of age twelf yeer was and tweye, 30 

In which that Nature hadde swich delit. 
For right as she kan peynte a lilie whit. 
And reed a rose^ right with swich peynture 
She peynted hath this noble creature^ 

Er she were born^ upon hir lymes fre^ S5 

Where as by right swiche colours sholde be. 
And Phebus dyed hath hir treses grete^ 
Lyk to the stremes of his burned heete ; 
And if that excellent was hir beautee^ 

A thousand f oold moore vertuous was she. 40 

In hire ne lakked no condicioun 
That is to preyse_, as by discrecioun; 
As wel in goost ps body chast was she^ 
For which she floured in virginitee 

With alle humylitee and abstinence^ 45 

With alle attemperaunce and pacience^ 
With mesure eek of beryng and array. 
Discreet she was in answeryng alway^ 
Though she were wise Pallas^ dar I seyn^ 
Hir facound eek ful wommanly and pleyn^ 50 

No countrefeted termes hadde she 
To seme wys^ but after hir degree 
She spak_, and alle hir wordes^ moore and lesse^ 
Sownynge in vertu and in gentillesse. 

Shamefast she was in maydens shamefastnesse, 55 

Constant in herte^ and evere in bisynesse 
To dryve hir out of ydel slogardye. 
Bacus hadde of hire mouth right no maistrie; 
For wyn and youthe dooth Venus encresse^ 
As man in fyr wol casten oille or greesse. 60 

And of hir owene vertu unconstreyned^ 
She hath ful ofte tyme syk hir feyned^ 
For that she wolde fleen the compaignye 

50 and a. 55 in om. 60 wasten. 



THE PHISICIENS TALE 209 

Wher likly was to treten of folye^ 

As is at feestes^ revels_, and at daunces 65 

That been occasions of daliaunces. 
Swich thynges maken children for to be 
To soone rype and boold^ as men may se^ 
Which is f ul perilous^ and hath been yoore ; 
For al to soone may they lerne loore 70 

Of booldnesse^ whan she woxen is a wyf. 
And ye maistresses^ in youre olde lyf, 
That lordes doghtres han in governaunce^ 
Ne taketh of my wordes no displesaunce; 
Thenketh that ye been set in governynges 75 

Of lordes doghtres^ oonly for two thynges ; 
Outher for ye han kept youre honestee^ 
Or elles ye han falle in freletee^ 
And knowen wel ynough the olde daunce_, 
And han forsaken fully swich meschaunce 80 

For everemo; therfore for Cristes sake^ 
To teche hem vertu looke that ye ne slake. 
A theef of venysoun^ that hath forlaft 
His likerousnesse^ and al his olde crafty 

Kan kepe a forest best of any man. 85 

Now kepeth wel^ for if ye wole^ ye kan. 
Looke wel that ye unto no vice assente^ 
Lest ye be dampned for your wikke entente. 
For who so dooth^ a traitour is^ certeyn; 

And taketh kepe of that that I shal seyn^ 90 

Of alle tresons_, sovereyn pestilence 
Is whan a wight bitrayseth innocence. 
Ye fadres and ye moodres^ eek also^ 
Though ye han children^ be it oon or two^ 
Youre is the charge of al hir surveiaunce 95 

Whil that they been under youre governaunce. 
Beth war^ if by ensample of youre lyvynge^ 
Or by youre necligence in chastisjnge^ 

69 thyng. 



210 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

That they perisse^ for I dar wel seye^ 

If that they doon ye shul it deere abeye^ 100 

Under a shepherde softe and necligent 

The wolf hath many a sheep and lamb to-rent. 

SufFyseth oon ensample now as here^ 

For I moot turne agayn to my mateere. 

This mayde_, of which I wol this tale expresse^ 105 

So kepte hirself^ hir neded no maistresse. 
For in hir lyvyng maydens myghten rede^ 
As in a book^ every good word or dede 
That longeth to a mayden vertuous_, 

She was so prudent and so bountevous. 110 

For which the fame out-sprong on every syde 
Bothe of hir beautee and hir bountee wyde^ 
That thurgh that land they preised hire echone 
That loved vertu; save envye allone^ 

That sory is of oother mennes wele^ 115 

And glad is of his sorwe and his unheele — 
The doctour maketh this descripcioun. 

This mayde upon a day wente in the toun 
Toward a temple, with hir mooder deere, 
As is of yonge maydens the manere. 120 

Now was ther thanne a justice in that toun. 
That governour w^as of that regioun. 
And so bifel this juge hise eyen caste 
Upon this mayde, avysynge hym ful faste 
As she cam forby, ther as this juge stood. 125 

Anon his herte chaunged and his mood, 
So was he caught with beautee of this mayde. 
And to hyfnself ful pryvely he sayde, 
''This mayde shal be myn, for any man.'' 
Anon the feend into his herte ran, ISO 

And taughte hym sodeynly, that he by slyghte 
The mayden to his purpos wynne myghte. 
For certes, by no force_, ne#by no meede, 
Hym thoughte he was nat able for to speede ; 



THE PHISICIENS TALE 211 

For she was strong of freendes^ and eek she 135 

Confermed was in swich soverayn bountee^ 

That wel he wiste he myghte hir nevere wynne^ 

As for to maken hir with hir body synne. 

For which^ by greet deliberacioun^ 

He sente after a cherl^ was in the toun^ 140 

Which that he knew for subtil and for boold. 

This Juge unto this cherl his tale hath toold 

In secree wise^ and made hym to ensure 

He sholde telle it to no creature^ 

And if he dide^ he sholde lese his heed. 145 

Whan that assented was this cursed reed. 

Glad was this juge, and maked him greet cheere, 

And yaf hym yiftes preciouse and deere. 

W^han shapen was al hir conspiracie 
Fro point to point, how that his lecherie 150 

Parfourned sholde been ful subtilly, 
(As ye shul heere it after openly) 
Hoom gooth the cherl, that highte Claudius. 
This false juge, that highte Apius, 

So was his name — for this is no fable, 155 

But knowen for historial thyng notable ; 
The sentence of it sooth is out of doute — 
This false juge gooth now faste aboute 
To hasten his delit al that he may. 

And so bifel soone after on a day, l60 

This false juge, as telleth us the storie, 
As he was wont, sat in his consistorie. 
And yaf his doomes upon sondry cas. 
This false cherl cam forth a ful greet pas 
And seyde, *Xord, if that it be youre wille, l65 

As dooth me right upon this pitous bille 
In which I pleyne upon Virginius; 
And if that he wol seyn it is nat thus, 
I wol it preeve, and fynde good witnesse 
That sooth is, that my bille wol expresse.'' 170 



212 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

The juge answerde^ **Of this in his absence^ 

I may nat yeve difFynytyve sentence. 

Lat do hym. ealle_, and I wol gladly heere. 

Thou shalt have al right and no wrong heere." 

Virginius cam to wite the juges wille^ 175 

And right anon was rad this cursed bille. 

The sentence of it was^ as ye shul heere: 

*'To yow_, my lord^ Sire Apius so deere_, 

Sheweth youre povre servant Claudius_, 

How that a knyght called Virginius _ 180 

Agayns the lawe^ agayn al equitee^ 

Holdeth expres agayn the wyl of me 

My servant^ which that is my thral by rights 

Which fro myn hous was stole upon a nyght^ 

Whil that she was ful yong; this wol I preeve 185 

By witnesse^ lord^ so that it nat yow greeve. 

She nys his doghter^ nat what so he seye. 

Wherfore to yow_, my lord the Juge_, I preye 

Yeld me my thral_, if that it be youre wille." 

l^Oy this was al the sentence of his bille. 190 

Virginius gan upon the cherl biholde^ 

But hastily^ er he his tale tolde^ 

And wolde have preeved it as sholde a knyght^ 

And eek by witnessyng of many a wight^ 

That it was fals^ that seyde his adversaries 195 

This cursed juge wolde no thyng tarie^ 

Ne heere a word moore of Virginius^ 

But yaf his juggement and seyde thus: 

*'I deeme anon this cherl his servant have^ 

Thou shalt no lenger in thyn hous hir save. 200 

Go^ bryng hir forth^ and put hir in our warde. 

The cherl shal have his thral^ this I awarde.'' 

And whan this worthy knyght Virginius^ 

Thurgh sentence of this justice Apius^ 

Moste by force his deere doghter yeven 205 

172 difFynyue. 



I 



THE PHISICIENS TALE 213 

Unto the j uge in lecherie to ly ven^ 

He gooth hym hoom^ and sette him in his halle^ 

And leet anon his deere doghter calle^ 

And with a face deed as asshen colde^ 

Upon hir humble face he gan biholde 210 

With fadres pitee stikynge thurgh his herte^ 

Al wolde he from his purpos nat converte. 

''Doghter/' quod he^ ''Virginia^ by thy name^ 
Ther been two weyes^ outher deeth or shame 
That thou most sufFre^ allas^ that I was bore ! 215 

For nevere thou deservedest wherfore 
To dyen with a swerd^ or with a knyf. 
O deere doghter_, ender of my lyf^ 
Which I have fostred up with swich plesaunce^ 
That thou were nevere out of my remembraunce. 220 

O doghter^ which that art my laste wo^ 
And in my lyf my laste joye also^ 
O gemme of chastitee^ in pacience 
Take thou thy deeth_, for this is my sentence^ 
For love and nat for hate^ thou most be deed; 225 

My pitous hand moot smyten of thyn heed. 
Alias, that evere Apius the say ! 
Thus hath he falsly jugged the to day/' 
And tolde hir al the cas, as ye bifore 

Han herd, nat nedeth for to telle it moore. 230 

''O mercy, deere fader/' quod this mayde, 
And with that word she bothe hir armes layde 
About his nekke, as she was wont to do. 
The teeris bruste out of hir eyen two, 

And seyde, ''Goode fader, shal I dye.^ 235 

Is ther no grace? is ther no remedye.^" 
"No, certes, deere doghter myn," quod he. 
''Thanne yif me leyser, fader myn/' quod she, 
''My deeth for to compleyne a litel space. 
For, pardee, Jepte yaf his doghter grace 240 

2?3 0/ o. . 



214 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

For to compleyne^ er he hir slow^ alias ! 

And God it woot^ no thyng was hir trespas 

But for she ran hir fader for to see 

To welcome hym with greet solempnitee/' 

And with that word she fil aswowne anon; 245 

And after whan hir swownyng is agon 

She riseth up and to hir fader sayde^ 

*'Blissed be God that I shal dye a mayde; 

Yif me my deeth^ er that I have a shame. 

Dooth with youre child youre wyl^ a Goddes name." 250 

And with that word she preyed hym ful ofte 

That with his swerd he wolde smyte softe^ 

And with that word aswowne doun she fil. 

Hir fader with ful sorweful herte and wil 
Hir heed of smoot_, and by the top it hente^ 255 

And to the juge he gan it to presente 
As he sat yet in doom^ in consistorie. 
And whan the juge it saugh^ as seith the storie^ 
He bad to take hym and anhange hym faste. 
But right anon a thousand peple in thraste 260 

To save the kynght for routhe and for pitee ; 
For knowen was the false iniquitee. 
The peple anon hath suspect of this thyng^ 
By manere of the cherles chalangyng^ 

That it was by the assent of iVpius — 265 

They wisten wel that he was lecherus; 
For which unto this Apius they gon 
And caste hym in a prisoun right anon^ 
Ther as he slow hymself^ and Claudius 

That servant was unto this Apius^ 270 

Was demed for to hange upon a tree^ 
But that Virginius^ of his pitee^ 
So preyde for hym^ that he was exiled; 
And elles^ certes^ he had been bigyled. 
The remenant were anhanged^ moore and lesse^ 275 

271 iims and. 



THE PHISICIENS TALE 215 

That were consentant of this cursednesse. 

Heere men may seen^ how synne hath his merite. 
Beth war^ for no man woot whom God wol smyte 
In no degree^ ne in which manere wyse 

The worm of conscience may agryse 280 

Of wikked lyf_j though it so pryvee be 
That no man woot therof but God and he. 
For be he lewed man^ or ellis lered^ 
He noot how soone that he shal been afered. 
Therfore I rede yow this conseil take^ 285 

Forsaketh synne^ er synne yow forsake. 

Heere endeth the Phisiciens tale. 



EPILOGUE 

The wordes of the Hoost to the Phisicien and the Pardoner, 

Oure Hooste gan to swere as he were wood; 
''Harrow!'' quod he^ ''by nayles and by blood! 
This was a fals eherl and a fals justice! 

As shameful deeth as herte may devyse 290 

Come to thise juges and hire advocatz ! 
Algate this sely mayde is slayn^ alias ! 
Alias ! to deere boughte she beautee ! 
Wherfore I seye al day^ as men may see 
That yiftes of Fortune and of Nature 295 

Been cause of deeth to many a creature. 
[Hir beautee was hir deeth^ I dar wel sayn; 
AUas^ so pitously as she was slayn!] 
Of bothe yiftes that I speke of now 

Men han ful ofte moore harm than prow. 300 

But trewely^ myn owene maister deere^ 
This is a pitous tale for to heere. 
But nathelees_, passe over is no f ors ; 
I pray to God so save thy gentil cors_, 

And eek thyne urynals and thy jurdanes^ 805 

Thyn ypocras and eek thy Galianes 
And every boyste ful of thy letuarie^ 
God blesse hem^ and oure lady Seinte Marie ! 
So moot I theen^ thou art a propre man_, 

And lyk a prelate by Seint Ronyan. 310 

Seyde I nat wel ? I kan nat speke in terme ; 
But wel I woot thou doost myn herte to erme, 
That I almoost have caught a cardyacle. 
By corpus bones^ but I have triacle^ 
Or elles a draughte of moyste and corny ale^ 315 

287 Hoost. 291 false juges. 297-8 not in MS, 300 for harm. 308 seint. 



EPILOGUE 217 

Or but I heere anon a myrie tale^ 

Myn herte is lost^ for pitee of this mayde ! 

Thou beelam}^^ thou Pardoner/' he sayde^ 

''Telle us som myrthe or japes right anon/' 

''It shal be doon/' quod he^ "by Seint Ronyon; 320 

But first/' quod he^ "heere at this ale-stake^ 

I wol bothe drynke and eten of a cake." 

And right anon the gentils gonne to crye^ 

"Nay^ lat hym telle us of no ribaudye ! 

Telle us som moral thyng that we may leere 325 

Som wit^ and thanne wol we gladly heere !" 

"I graunte^ ywis/' quod he^ "but I moot thynke 

Upon som honeste thyng^ while that I drynke." 



THE PARDONERS PROLOGUE 

Heere folweth the Prologe of the Pardoners tale. 
Radix malorum est Cupiditas Ad Thimotheum ^°. 

Lordynges — quod he — in chirches whan I preche^ 
I peyne me to han an hauteyn speche^ 330 

And rynge it out as round as gooth a belle^ 
For I kan al by rote that I telle. 
My theme is alwey oon and evere was^ 
''Radix malorum est Cupiditas." 

First I pronounce whennes that I come^ S3 5 

And thanne my buUes shewe I^ alle and some; 
Oure lige lordes seel on my patente^ 
That shewe I first^ my body to warente_, 
That no man be so boold_, ne preest ne clerk^ 
Me to destourbe of Cristes hooly werk. 340 

And after that thanne telle I forth my tales^ 
Bulles of popes and of cardynales^ 
Of patriarkes and bishopes I shewe^ 
And in Latyn I speke a wordes fewe_, 

To saffron with my predicacioun^ S4i5 

And for to stire hem to devocioun. 
Thanne shewe I forth my longe cristal stones^ 
Ycrammed ful of cloutes and of bones; 
Relikes been they^ as wenen they echoon. 
Thanne have I in latoun a sholder-boon 350 

Which that was of an hooly Jewes sheepe. 
''Goode men^'' I seye_, *'taak of my wordes keepe: 
If that this boon be wasshe in any welle^ 
If cow^ or calf^ or sheep^ or oxe swelle^ 

That any worm hath ete^ or worm ystonge^ 355 

Taak water of that welle^ and wassh his tonge^ 

350 I om. 



THE PARDONERS PROLOGUE 219 

And it is hool anon; and forthermoor^ 

Of pokkes and of scabbe and every soor 

Shal every sheepe be hool that of this welle 

Drynketh a draughte ; taak kepe eek what I telle^ 360 

If that the goode man that the beestes oweth^ 

Wol every wyke^ er that the cok hym croweth^ 

Fastynge^ drinken of this welle a draughte^ 

As thilke hooly Jew oure eldres taughte^ 

Hise beestes and his stoor shal multiplie. S65 

And^ sire^ also it heeleth j alousie ; 

For though a man be f alle in j alous rage^ 

Lat maken with this water his potage_, 

And nevere shal he moore his wyf mystriste^ 

Though he the soothe of hir defaute wiste^ 370 

Al had she taken preestes two or thre. 

Heere is a miteyn_, eek^ that ye may se: 

He that his hand wol putte in this mitayn. 

He shal have multipliyng of his grayn 

What he hath sowen^ be it whete or otes^ 375 

So that he ofFre pens^ or elles grotes. 

Goode men and wommen^ o thyng warne I yow^ 

If any wught be in this chirche now_, 

That hath doon synne horrible^ that he 

Dar nat for shame of it yshryven be^ 380 

Or any womman^ be she yong or old^ 

That hath ymaad hir housbonde cokewold, 

Swich folk shal have no power ne no grace 

To ofFren to my relikes in this place. 

And who so fyndeth hym out of swich fame^ 385 

He wol come up and ofFre^ on Goddes name^ 

And I assoille him^ by the auctoritee 

Which that by buUe ygraunted was to me/' 

By this gaude have I wonne^ yeer by yeer_, 
An hundred mark^ sith I was pardoner. 390 

I stonde lyk a clerk in my pulpet^ 

363 drinke. 382 ymaked. 386 He They. 387 him hem. 



220 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

And whan the lewed peple is doun yset^ 
I preche so^ as ye han herd bifoore^ 
And telle an hundred false japes moore. 
Thanne peyne I me to strecche forth the nekke^ 395 

And est and west upon the peple I bekke^ 
As dooth a dowve sittynge on a berne. 
Myne handes and my tonge goon so yerne 
That it is joye to se my bisynesse. 

Of avarice and of swich cursednesse 400 

Is al my prechyng^ for to make hem free 
To yeven hir pens ; and namely^ unto me ! 
For myn entente is nat but for to wynne^ 
And no thyng for correccioun of synne. 

I rekke nevere^ whan that they been beryed^ 405 

Though that hir soules goon a blakeberyed_, 
For certes^ many a predicacioun 
Comth ofte tyme of yvel entencioun. 
Som for plesance of folk^ and flaterye_, 

To been avaunced by ypocrisye^ 410 

And som for veyne glorie^ and som for hate. 
For whan I dar noon oother weyes debate^, 
Thanne wol I stynge hym with my tonge smerte 
In prechyng^ so that he shal nat asterte 

To been defamed falsly^ if that he . 415 

Hath trespased to my bretheren^ or to me. 
For though I telle noght his propre name^ 
Men shal wel knowe that it is the same 
By signes^ and by othere circumstances. 

Thus quyte I folk that doon us displesances^ 420 

Thus spitte I out my venym^ under hewe 
Of hoolynesse^ to semen hooly and trewe. 
But shortly _, myn entente I wol devyse; 
I preche of no thyng but for coveityse. 

Therfore my theme is yet^ and evere was^ 425 

**Radix malorum est Cupiditas." 

405 that om. 



THE PARDONERS PROLOGUE 221 

Thus kan I preche agayn that same vice 

Which that I use^ and that is avarice. 

But though myself be gilty in that synne_, 

Yet kan I maken oother folk to twynne 430 

From avarice^ and soore to repente; 

But that is nat my principal entente. 

I preche no thyng but for coveitise; 

Of this mateere it oghte ynogh suffise. 

Thanne telle I hem ensamples many oon 435 

Of olde stories longe tyme agoon_, 

For lewed peple loven tales olde; 

Swiche thynges kan they wel reporte and holde. 

What.^ trowe ye^ the whiles I may preche^ 

And Wynne gold and silver for I teche^ 440 

That I wol lyve in poverte wilfully ? 

Nay^ nay^ I thoghte it nevere^ trewely. 

For I wol preche and begge in sondry landes^ 

I wol nat do no labour with myne handes^ 

Ne make baskettes^ and lyve therby^ ' 445 

By cause I wol nat beggen ydelly. 

I wol noon of the apostles countrefete_, 

I wol have moneie^ woUe^ chese^ and whete^ 

Al were it yeven of the povereste page^ 

Or of the povereste wydwe in a village^ 450 

Al sholde hir children sterve for famyne. 

Nay^ 1 wol drynke licour of the vyne^ 

And have a joly wenche in every toun. 

But herkneth^ lordynges^ in conclusioun: 

Your likyng is^ that I shal telle a tale. 455 

Now have I dronke a draughte of corny ale_, 

By God^ I hope I shal yow telle a thyng 

That shal by resoun been at youre likyng. 

For though myself be a ful vicious man^ 

A moral tale yet I yow telle kan_, 460 

Which I am wont to preche^ for to wynne. 

Now hoold youre pees^ my tale I wol bigynne. 



THE PARDONERS TALE 

Heere higynneth the Pardoners tale. 

In Flaundres whilom was a compaignye 
Of yonge folk^ that haunteden folye^ 

As riot^ hasard^ stywes^ and tavernes^ 4i65 

Wher as with harpes^ lutes^ and gyternes 
They daunce and pleyen at dees^ bothe day and nyght^ 
And eten also and drynken over hir myght^ 
Thurgh which they doon the devel sacrifise 
Withinne that develes temple in cursed wise^ 470 

By superfluytee abhomynable. 
Hir othes been so grete and so dampnable 
That it is grisly for to heere hem swere. 
Oure blissed lordes body they to-tere^ 

Hem thoughte that Jewes rente hym noght ynough^ 475 
And ech of hem at otheres synne lough. 
And right anon thanne comen tombesteres^ 
Fetys and smale^ and yonge frutesteres_, 
Syngeres with harpes^ baudes^ wafereres^ 
Whiche been the verray develes officeres 480 

To kyndle and blowe the fyr of lecherye_, 
That is annexed unto glotonye. 
The hooly writ take I to my witnesse^ 
That luxurie is in wyn and dronkenesse. 

Lo^ how that dronken Looth unkyndely 485 

Lay by hise doghtres two unwityngly; 
So dronke he was^ he nyste what he wroghte. 
Herodes^ whoso wel the stories soghte^ 
Whan he of wyn was repleet at his feeste^ 
Right at his owene table he yaf his heeste 490 

To sleen the Baptist John^ ful giltelees. 



THE PARDONERS TALE 223 

Senec seith a good word^ doutelees; 

He seith^ he kan no difference fynde 

Bitwix a man that is out of his mynde^ 

And a man which that is dronkelewe^ 4<95 

But that woodnesse fallen in a shrewe 

Persevereth lenger than dooth dronkenesse. 

O glotonye_, ful of cursednesse ! 

O cause first of oure confusioun ! 

O original of oure dampnacioun 500 

Til Crist hadde boght us with his blood agayn ! 

Lo_, how deere^ shortly for to sayn^ 

Aboght was thilke cursed vileynye ! 

Corrupt was al this world for glotonye ! 

Adam oure fader_, and his wyf also^ 505 

Fro Paradys to labour and to wo 

Were dryven for that vice^ it is no drede; 

For whil that Adam fasted_, as I rede_, 

He was in Paradys^ and whan that he 

Eet of the fruyt defended on the tree^ 510 

Anon he was out-cast to wo and peyne. 

O glotonye^ on thee wel oghte us pleyne ! 

O^ wiste a man how manye maladyes 

Folwen of excesse and of glotonyes_, 

He wolde been the moore mesurable 515 

Of his diete^ sittynge at his table. 

AUas^ the shorte throte^ the tendre mouth 

Maketh that est and west and north and south 

In erthe_, in eir^ in water^ man to swynke 

To gete a glotoun deyntee mete and drynke. 520 

Of this matiere_, O Paul ! wel kanstow trete^ 

Mete unto wombe and wombe eek unto mete 

Shal God destroyen bothe^ as Paulus seith. 

Allas^ a foul thyng is it^ by my f eith ! 

To seye this word^ and fouler is the dede 525 

Whan man so drynketh of the white and rede^ 

That of his throte he maketh his pryvee 



224 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Thurgh thilke cursed superfluitee. 

The Apostel wepyng seith ful pitously, 

''Ther walken manye of whiche yow toold have I^ 530 

I seye it now wepyng with pitous voys^ 

That they been enemys of Cristes croys^ 

Of whiche the ende is deeth_, wombe is hir god." 

O wombe ! O bely ! O stynkyng cod ! 

Fulfilled of donge and of corrupcioun^ 5B5 

At either ende of thee foul is the soun; 

How greet labour and cost is thee to fynde^ 

Thise cookes^ how they starape_, and streyne_, and grynde. 

And turnen substaunce into accident^ 

To fulfillen al thy likerous talent ! 540 

Out of the harde bones knokke they 

The mary^ for they caste noght awey^ 

That may go thurgh the golet softe and swoote; 

Of spicerie^ of leef^ and bark^ and roote^ 

Shal been his sauce ymaked by delit^ 545 

To make hym yet a newer appetit. i-l 

But certes^ he that haunteth swiche delices '' 

Is deed^ whil that he lyveth in tho vices. 

A lecherous thyng is wyn^ and dronkenesse 
Is ful of stryvyng and of wrecchednesse. 550 

O dronke man^ disfigured is thy face ! 
Sour is thy breeth^ foul artow to embrace^ 
And thurgh thy dronke nose semeth the soun^ 
As though thou seydest ay^ ''Sampsoun ! Sampsoun V 
And yet^ God woot^ Sampsoun drank nevere no wyn ! 555 
Thou fallest^ as it were a styked swyn; 
Thy tonge is lost^ and al thyn honeste cure 
For dronkenesse is verray sepulture 
Of mannes wit and his discrecioun_, 

In whom that drynke hath dominacioun. 560 

He kan no conseil kepe^ it is no drede ; 
Now kepe yow fro the white and fro the rede^ 

532 That they Ther. 



THE PARDONERS TALE 225 

And namely^ fro the white wyn of Lepe^ 

That is to selle in Fysshstrete^ or in Chepe. 

This wyn of Spaigne crepeth subtilly 565 

In othere wynes^ growynge faste by^ 

Of which ther ryseth swich fumositee^ 

That whan a man hath dronken draughtes thre 

And weneth that he be at hoom in Chepe^ 

He is in Spaigne^ right at the toune of Lepe^ 570 

Nat at the Rochele^ ne at Burdeux toun ; 

And thanne wol he seye ''Sampsoun^ Sampsoun V 

But herkneth^ lordes^ o word I yow preye^ 

That alle the sovereyn actes^ dar I seye^ 

Of victories in the Olde Testament^ 575 

Thurgh verray God that is omnipotent 

Were doon in abstinence and in preyere. 

Looketh the Bible_, and ther ye may it leere. 

Looke_, Attilla_, the grete conquerour_, 

Deyde in his sleepe^ with shame and dishonour^ 580 

Bledynge ay at his nose in dronkenesse. 

A capitayn sholde lyve in sobrenesse; 

And over al this avyseth yow right wel^ 

What was comaunded unto Lamwel 

Nat Samuel^ but Lamwel^ seye I; 585 

Redeth the Bible and fynde it expresly^ 

Of wyn yevyng to hem that han justise. 

Namoore of this^ for it may wel suffise. 

And now that I have spoken of glotonye. 
Now wol I yow defFenden hasardrye. 590 

Hasard is verray mooder of lesynges^ 
And of deceite and cursed forswerynges^ 
Blasphemyng of Crista manslaughtre and wast also. 
Of catel and of tyme, and forthermo 

It is repreeve and contrarie of honour 595 

For to ben holde a commune hasardour. 
And ever the hyer he is of estaat, 

589 that oni. 



226 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

The moore is he holden desolaat; 

If that a prynce useth hasardrye^ 

In alle governaunce and poHcye 600 

He is as by commune opinioun 

Yholde the lasse in reputacioun. 

Stilboun^ that was a wys embassadour^ 

Was sent to Corynthe in ful greet honour_, 

Fro Lacidomye to maken hire alliaunee. 605 

And whan he cam hym happede par chaunce^ 

That alle the gretteste that were of that lond 

Pleyynge atte hasard he hem fond. 

For which^ as soone as it myghte be^ 

He stal hym hoom agayn to his contree^ 6lO 

And seyde^ **Ther wol I nat lese my name^ 

Ne I wol nat take on me so greet defame. 

Yow for to allie unto none hasardours. 

Sendeth othere wise embassadours^ 

For by my trouthe me were levere dye 6l5 

Than I yow sholde to hasardours allye. 

For ye that been so glorious in honours 

Shul nat allyen yow with hasardours^ 

As by my wyl^ ne as by my tretee/' 

This wise philosophre^ thus seyde hee. 620 

Looke eek^ that to the kyng Demetrius 

The kyng of Parthes^ as the book seith us, 

Sente him a paire of dees of gold, in scorn. 

For he hadde used hasard therbiforn, 

For which he heeld his glorie or his renoun 625 

At no value or reputacioun. 

Lordes may fynden oother maner pley 

Honeste ynough, to dryve the day awey. 

Now wol I speke of othes false and grete l| 

A word or two, as olde bookes trete. 6S0 

Gret sweryng is a thyng abhominable, i 

And fals sweryng is yet moore reprevable. ' 

606 happed. 621 to om. 



THE PARDONERS TALE 227 

The heighe God forbad sweryng at al^ 

Witnesse on Mathew; but in special 

Of sweryng seith the hooly Jeremy e^ 6S5 

''Thou shalt seye sooth thyne othes^ and nat lye^ 

And swere in doom^ and eek in rightwisnesse/' 

But ydel sweryng is a cursednesse. 

Bihoold and se^ that in the firste table 

Of heighe Goddes heestes honurable 640 

How that the seconde heeste of hym is this: 

Take nat my name in ydel or amys. 

Loj rather he forbedeth swich sweryng 

Than homycide^ or any cursed thyng! 

I seye^ that as by ordre thus it stondeth^ 645 

This knowen that hise heestes understondeth 

How that the seconde heeste of God is that. 

And forther-over I wol thee telle al plat^ 

That vengeance shal nat parten from his hous 

That of hise othes is to outrageous — 650 

''By Goddes precious herte and by his nayles^ 

And by the blood of Crist that is in Hayles_, 

Sevene is my chaunce and thyn is cynk and treye. 

By Goddes armes^ if thou falsly pleye^ 

This dagger shal thurghout thyn herte go!'' 655 

This fruyt cometh of the bicched bones two^ 

Forsweryng^ ire^ f alsnesse^ homycide ! 

Now for the love of Crista that for us dyde^ 

Lete youre othes bothe grete and smale. 

But^ sires^ now wol I telle forth my tale. 660 

Thise riotoures thre^ of whiche I telle^ 
Longe erst er prime rong of any belle^ 
Were set hem in a taverne for to drynke. 
And as they sat^ they herde a belle clynke 
Biforn a cors^ was caried to his grave, 665 

That oon of hem gan callen to his knave^ 
"Go bet/' quod he^ "and axe redily 

661 riotours. 663 for om. 



228 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

What cors is this^ that passeth heer forby^ 

And looke^ that thou reporte his name weel/' 

*'Sir/' quod this boy^ *'it nedeth neveradeel; 670 

It was me toold^ er ye cam heer two houres. 

He was^ pardee^ an old felawe of youres^ 

And sodeynly he was yslayn to-nyght^ 

Fordronke^ as he sat on his bench upright. 

Ther cam a privee theef men clepeth Deeth, 675 

That in this contree al the peple sleeth^ 

And with his spere he smoot his herte atwo^ 

And wente his wey withouten wordes mo. 

He hath a thousand slayn this pestilence^ 

And maister^ er ye come in his presence, 680 

Me thynketh that it were necessarie 

For to be war of swich an adversarie. 

Beth redy for to meete hym everemoore, 

Thus taughte me my dame, I sey namoore." 

''By Seinte Marie,'' seyde this taverner, 685 

''The child seith sooth, for he hath slayn this yeer 

Henne over a mile, withinne a greet village 

Bothe man and womman, child, and hyne, and page. 

I trowe his habitacioun be there. 

To been avysed, greet wysdom it were, 690 

Er that he dide a man a dishonour." 

"Ye, Goddes armes," quod this riotour, 

''Is it swich peril with hym for to meete? 

I shal hym seke, by wey and eek by strete, 

I make avow to Goddes digne bones. 695 

Herkneth, f elawes, we thre been al ones ; 

Lat ech of us holde up his hand til oother. 

And ech of us bicomen otheres brother. 

And we wol sleen this false traytour Deeth. 

He shal be slayn, which that so manye sleeth, 700 

By Goddes dignitee, er it be nyght." 

Togidres han thise thre hir trouthes plight. 

To lyve and dyen, ech of hem for oother. 



III 



THE PARDONERS TALE 229 

As though he were his owene ybore brother ; 

And up they stirte al dronken in this rage^ 705 

And forth they goon towardes that village^ 

Of which the taverner hadde spoke biforn. 

And many a grisly ooth thanne han they sworn^ 

And Cristes blessed body they to-rente^ 

'Deeth shal be deed^ if that they may hym hente/ 710 

Whan they han goon nat fully half a mile^ 
Right as they wolde han troden over a stile^ 
An oold man and a povre with hem mette. 
This olde man ful mekely hem grette_, 

And seyde thus^ ''Now^ lordes^ God yow see." 715 

The proudeste of thise riotoures three 
Answerde agayn^ "What^ carl^ with sory grace. 
Why artow al f orwrapped save thy face ? 
Why lyvestow so longe in so greet age?'' 
This olde man gan looke in his visage^ 720 

And seyde thus, 'Tor I ne kan nat fynde 
A man^ though that I walked in to Ynde, 
Neither in citee nor in no village, 
That wolde chaunge his youthe for myn age. 
And therfore moot I han myn age stille 725 

As longe tyme as it is Goddes wille. 
Ne deeth, alias, ne wol nat han my lyf ! 
Thus walke I lyk a restelees kaityf. 
And on the ground, which is my moodres gate, 
I knokke with my staf bothe erly and late. 730 

And seye, 'leeve mooder, leet me in ! 
Lo, how I vanysshe, flessh and blood and skyn ! 
Alias, whan shul my bones been at reste ? 
Mooder, with yow wolde I chaunge my cheste. 
That in my chambre longe tyme hath be, 735 

Ye, for an heyre-clowt to wrappe me.' 
But yet to me she wol nat do that grace ; 
For which ful pale and welked is my face. 

704 yborn. 705 al and. 716 riotours. 



230 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

But^ sires^ to yow it is no curteisye 

To speken to an old man vileynye^ 740 

But he trespasse in word^ or elles in dede. 

In hooly writ ye may yourself wel rede^ 

'Agayns an oold man^ hoor upon his heed^ 

Ye sholde arise ;' wherfore I yeve yow reed^ 

Ne dooth unto an oold man noon harm now^ 745 ' 

Namoore than that ye wolde men did to yow 

In age^ if that ye so longe abyde^ 

And God be with yow where ye go or ryde. 

I moote go thider^ as I have to go/' 

''Nay^ olde cherl^ by God^ thou shalt nat so^'' 750 

Seyde this oother hasardour anon. 

*'Thou partest nat so lightly _, by Seint John. 

Thou spak right now of thilke traytour Deeth^ 

That in this contree alle oure f reendes sleeth. 

Have heer my trouthe^ as thou art his espye^ 755 

Telle where he is^ or thou shalt it abye^ 

By God and by the hooly sacrament^ 

For soothly thou art oon of his assent 

To sleen us yonge folk^ thou false theef !" jil 

"Now^ sires/' quod he^ *'if that ye be so leef 760 ' 

To fynde Deeth^ turne up this croked wey^ 

For in that grove I lafte hym^ by my f ey^ 

Under a tree^ and there he wole abyde. 

Noght for your boost he wole him nothyng hyde^ 

Se ye that ook? right ther ye shal hym fynde^ 765 

God save yow that boghte agayn mankynde^ 

And yow amende.'' Thus seyde this olde man; 

And everich of thise riotoures ran 

Til he cam to that tree^ and ther they founde 

Of floryns fyne of gold ycoyned rounde 770 \ 

Wel ny an eighte busshels^ as hem thoughte. 

No lenger thanne after Deeth they soughte_, h 

But ech of hem so glad was of that sighte^ I' 

768 riotours. 



THE PARDONERS TALE 231 

For that the floryns been so faire and brighte^ 

That doun they sette hem by this precious hoord. 775 

The worste of hem^ he spak the firste word^ 

"Bretheren^" quod he^ ''taak kepe what I seye; 

My wit is greets though that I bourde and pleye. 

This tresor hath Fortune unto us yeven^ 

In myrthe and joliftee oure lyf to lyven. 780 

And lightly as it comth^ so wol we spende. 

Ey^ Goddes precious dignitee^ who wende 

Today that we sholde han so fair a grace ? 

But myghte this gold be caried fro this place 

Hoom to myn hous or elles unto youres^ 785 

(For wel ye woot that al this gold is oures) 

Thanne were we in heigh felicitee. 

But trewely^ by daye it may nat bee ; 

Men wolde seyn that we were theves stronge^ 

And for oure owene tresor doon us honge. 790 

This tresor moste ycaried be by nyghte_, 

Asjwisely and as slyly as it myghte. 

Wherfore I rede that cut among us alle 

Be drawe^ and lat se wher the cut wol falle^ 

And he that hath the cut^ with herte blithe 795 

Shal renne to the towne^ and that f ul swithe_, 

And brynge us breed and wyn^ ful prively; 

And two of us shul kepen subtilly 

This tresor weL and if he wol nat tarie^ 

Whan it is nyght^ we wol this tresor carie^ 800 

By oon assent_, where as us thynketh best/' 

That oon of hem the cut broghte in his fest_, 

And bad hym drawe^ and looke where it wol f alle ; 

And it ill on the yongeste of hem alle^ 

And forth toward the toun he wente anon. 805 

And al so soone^ as that he was agon_, 

That oon of hem spak thus unto that oother^ 

'*Thow knowest wel thou art my sworen brother^ 

796 the om. 806 gon. 807 of hem om. 808 sworn. 



232 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Thy profit wol I telle thee anon. 

Thou woost wel^ that oure felawe is agon^ 810 

And heere is gold^ and that ful greet plentee^ 

That shal departed been among us thre. 

But nathelees^ if I kan shape it so 

That it departed were among us two^ 

Hadde I nat doon a freendes torn to thee?'' 815 

That oother answerde^ "I noot bou that may be? 

He woot how that the gold is with us tweye; 

What shal we doon ? what shal we to hym seye ?'' 

"Shal it be eonseil?'' seyde the firste shrewe^ 

"And I shal tellen^ in a wordes fewe^ 820 

What we shal doon^ and bryngen it wel aboute." 

"I graunte^'' quod that oother^ "out of doute^ 

That by my trouthe I shal thee nat biwreye." 

"Now^'' quod the firste^ "thou woost wel we be tweye^ 

And two of us shul strenger be than oon; 825 

Looke whan that he is set^ that right anoon 

Arys^ as though thou woldest with hym pleye^ 

And I shal ryve hym thurgh the sydes tweye^ 

Whil that thou strogelest with hym as in game. 

And with thy dagger e looke thou do the same^ 830 

And thanne shal al this gold departed be^ 

My deere freend^ bitwixen me and thee. 

Thanne may we bothe oure lustes all fulfille^ 

And pleye at dees right at oure owene wille." 

And thus acorded been thise shrewes tweye 835 

To sleen the thridde^ as ye han herd me seye. 

This yongeste^ which that wente unto the toun^ 
Ful of te in herte he roUeth up and doun 
The beautee of thise floryns newe and brighte. 
"O lord/' quod he^ "if so were that I myghte 840 

Have al this tresor to my-self allone^ 
Ther is no man that lyveth under the trone 
Of God^ that sholde lyve so murye as I." 
And atte laste the feend^ oure enemy^ 



THE PARDONERS TALE 233 

Putte in his thought that he sholde poyson beye^ 845 

With which he myghte sleen hise felawes tweye. 

For why_, the feend foond hym in swich lyvynge^ 

That he hadde leve hem to sorwe brynge; 

For this was outrely his fulle entente^ 

To sleen hem bothe_, and nevere to repente. 850 

And forth he gooth^ no lenger wolde he tarie^ 

Into the toun unto a pothecarie 

And preyde hym that he hym wolde selle 

Som poysoun^ that he myghte hise rattes quelle^ 

And eek ther was a polcat in his hawe^ 855 

That^ as he seyde^ hise eapouns hadde yslawe; 

And fayn he wolde wreke hym^ if he myghte^ 

On vermyn that destroyed hym by nyghte. 

The pothecarie answerde^ *'and thou shalt have 

A thyng^ that al so God my soule save^ 860 

In al this world ther is no creature 

That eten or dronken hath of this confiture 

Noght but the montance of a corn of whete^ 

That he ne shal his lif anon forlete; 

Ye^ sterve he shal^ and that in lasse while 865 

Than thou wolt goon a pass nat but a mile^ 

This poysoun is so strong and violent/' 

This cursed man hath in his hond yhent 

This poysoun in a box^ and sith he ran 

Into the nexte strete unto a man 870 

And borwed hym of large hotels thre ; 

And in the two his poyson poured he^ 

The thridde he kepte elene for his owene drynke^ 

For al the nyght he shoop hym for to swynke 

In cariynge of the gold out of that place. 875 

And whan this riotour^ with sory grace^ 

Hadde filled with wyn his grete hotels thre^ 

To hise felawes agayn repaireth he. 

What nedeth it to sermone of it moore.^ 

871 of om. 



234 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

For right as they hadde cast his deeth bifoore 880 

Right so they han him slayn^ and that anon; 

And whan that this was doon^ thus spak that oon^ 

"Now lat us sitte and drynke_, and make us merie^ 

And afterward we wol his body berie/' 

And with that word it happed hym^ par cas^ 885 

To take the hotel ther the poysoun was^ 

And drank^ and yaf his felawe drynke also^ 

For which anon they storven bothe two. 

But certes^ I suppose that Avycen 

Wroot never e in no canoun^ ne in no fen_, 890 

Mo wonder signes of empoisonyng 

Than hadde thise wrecches two^ er hir endyng. 

Thus ended been thise homycides two^ 

And eek the false empoysoner also. 

O cursed synne ful of cursednesse ! 895 

O traytours homycide ! O wikkednesse ! 

glotonye^ luxurie^ and hasardrye ! 
Thou blasphemour of Crist^ with vileynye^ 
And othes grete, of usage and of pride^ 

Allas^ mankynde ! how may it bitide 900 

That to thy Creatour which that the wroghte^ 

And with His precious herte-blood thee boghte^ 

Thou art so f als and so unkynde^ alias ! 

Now_, goode men^ God foryeve yow youre trespas^ 

And ware yow fro the synne of avarice ; 905 

Myn hooly pardoun may yow alle warice^ 

So that ye ofFre nobles or sterlynges^ 

Or elles silver broches^ spoones^ rynges ; 

Boweth youre heed under this hooly bulle^ 

Com up^ ye wyves^ offreth of youre wolle ; 910 

Youre names I entre heer in my roUe anon^ 

Into the blisse of hevene shul ye gon. 

1 yow assoille by myn heigh power, 

Yow that wol ofFre, as clene and eek as cleer 

880 SO as. 895 ful of of alle. 



THE PARDONERS TALE 235 

As ye were born — and lo^ sires^ thus I ^Dreche; 915 

And Jesu Crista that is oure soules leehe^ 
So graunte yow his pardoun to receyve^ 
For that is best^ I wol yow nat deceyve. 

But sires^ o word forgat I in my tale^ 
I have relikes and pardoun in my male 920 

As faire as any man in Engelond^ 
Whiche were me yeven by the popes bond. 
If any of yow wole of devocioun 
OiFren and ban myn absolucioun^ 

Com forth anon^ and kneleth heere adoun^ 9^5 

And mekely receyveth my pardoun^ 
Or elles taketh pardoun as ye wende^ 
Al newe and fressh at every miles ende^ 
So that ye ofFren alwey newe and newe 

Nobles or pens^ whiche that be goode and trewe. 9^0 

It is an honour to everich that is heer_, 
That ye mowe have a suffisant pardoneer 
Tassoille yow in contree as ye ryde^ . 
For aventures whiche that may bityde. 

Paraventure ther may fallen oon or two 9^5 

Doun of his hors^ and breke his nekke atwo. 
Look^ which a seuretee is it to yow alle 
That I am in youre felaweship yfalle^ 
That may assoille yow^ bothe moore and lasse, 
Whan that the soule shal fro the body passe. 94^0 

I rede that oure Hoost heere shal bigynne^ 
For he is moost envoluped in synne. 
Com forth^ sire Hoost^ and ofFre first anon^ 
And thou shalt kisse my relikes everychon, 
Ye^ for a grote^ unbokele anon thy purs. — 9"^^ 

*'Nay^ nsij/' quod he_, *'thanne have I Cristes curs !" 
"Lat be/' quod he^ "it shal nat be^ so theech^ 
Thou woldest make me kisse thyn olde breech^ 
And swere it were a relyk of a seint^ 
Though it were with thy fundement depeint. 950 



236 



THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 



But by the croys which that seint Eleyne fond^ 

I wolde I hadde thy coillons in myn hond 

In stide of relikes or of seintuarie. 

Lat kutte hem of^ I wol thee helpe hem carie^ 

They shul be shryned in an hogges toord/' 955 

This Pardoner answerde nat a word; 

So wrooth he was^ no word ne wolde he seye. 

''Now/' quod oure Hoost^ "I wol no lenger pleye 

With thee^ ne with noon oother angry man/' 

But right anon the worthy knyght bigan^ 960 

Whan that he saugh that al the peple lough^ 

''Namoore of this_, for it is right ynough. 

Sir Pardoner^ be glad and myrie of cheere ; 

And je, sir Hoost^ that been to me so deere^ 

I prey yow^ that ye kisse the pardoner; 965 

And Pardoner^ I prey thee^ drawe thee neer^ 

And^ as we diden_, lat us laughe and pleye." 

Anon they kiste^ and ryden forth hir weye. 

954 thee helpe with thee. 



Heere is ended the Pardoners tale. 



GROUP D. 

PROLOGUE OF THE WYVES TALE 
OF BATH 

The Prologs of the Wyves tale of Bathe. 

Experience^ though noon auctoritee 
Were in this world_, were right ynogh to me 
To speke of wo that is in mariage; 
For^ lordynges^ sith I twelf yeer was of age^ 
Thonked be God^ that is eterne on lyve, 5 

Housbondes at chirche-dore I have had fyve — 
For I so ofte have ywedded bee — 
And alle were worthy men in hir degree. 
But me was toold^ certeyn_, nat longe agoon is^ 
That sith that Crist ne wente nevere.but onis 10 

To weddyng in the Cane of Galilee^ 
That by the same ensample^ taughte he me_, 
That I ne sholde wedded be but ones^ 
Herkne eek^ lo^ which a sharpe word for the nones^ 
Biside a welle Jesus^ God and Man^ 15 

Spak in repreeve of the Samaritan. 
*'Thou hast yhad fyve housbondes/' quod he^ 
''And thilke man the which that hath now thee 
Is noght thyn housbonde ;" thus seyde he^ certeyn. 
What that he mente ther by^ I kan nat seyn ; 20 

But that I axe^ why that the fifthe man 
Was noon housbonde to the Samaritan.^ 
How manye myghte she have in mariage.^ 
Yet herde I nevere tellen in myn age 

Upon this nombre diffinicioun. 25 

Men may devyne^ and glosen up and doun^ 

5 Ythonked. 12 That om.; taughte he thoughte. 14 lo om. 18 that. 



238 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

But wel I woot expres withoute Ije, 

God bad us for to wexe and multiplye; 

That gentil text kan I wel understonde. 

Eek wel I woot^ he seyde^ myn housbonde SO 

Sholde lete fader and mooder_, and take me; 

But of no nombre mencioun made he^ 

Of bigamye^ or of octogamye; 

Why sholde men speke of it vileynye ? 

Lo^ heere the wise kyng^ daun Salomon; 35 

I trowe he hadde wyves mo than oon — 
As^ wolde God^ it leveful were to me 
To be refresshed half so ofte as he — 
Which yifte of God hadde he^ for alle hise wyvys ? 
No man hath swich that in this world alyve is. 40 

God woot^ this noble kyng^ as to my wit^ 
The firste nyght had many a myrie fit 
With ech of hem^ so wel was hym on lyve ! 
Blessed be God^ that I have wedded f yve ; 
Welcome the sixte^ whan that evere he shal. 45 

For sothe I wol nat kepe me chaast in al; 
Whan myn housbonde is fro the world ygon 
Som cristen man shal wedde me anon. 
For thanne thapostle seith that I am free^ 
To wedde a Goddes half where it liketh me. 50 

He seith^ that to be wedded is no synne^ 
Bet is to be wedded than tc brynne. 
What rekketh me_, thogh folk seye vileynye 
Of shrewed Lameth and of bigamye.^ 

I woot wel Abraham was an hooly man, 55 

And Jacob eek, as ferforth as I kan, 
And ech of hem hadde wyves mo than two. 
And many another holy man also. 
Whanne saugh ye evere in any manere age 
That hye God defended mariage 60 

29 ivel om. 37 were leveful unto. 44 Yblessed. 49 that om. 51 that oni. 
58 holy 07)1. 59 any om. 



I 



PROLOGUE TO THE WYVES TALE 239 

By expres word? I pray you^ telleth me^ 

Or where comanded he virginitee ? 

I woot as wel as ye it is no drede_, 

Thapostel^ whan he speketh of maydenhede; 

He seyde^ that precept therof hadde he noon. 65 

Men may conseille a womman to been oon^ 

But conseillyng is no comandement; 

He putte it in oure owene juggement. 

For hadde God comanded maydenhede_, 

Thanne hadde he dampned weddyng with the dede ; 70 

And certein, if ther were no seed ysowe^ 

Virginitee^ wherof thanne sholde it growe? 

Poul dorste nat comanden^ atte leeste^ 

A thyng of which his maister yaf noon heeste. 

The dart is set up of virginitee; 75 

Cacche who so may^ who renneth best lat see. 

But this word is nat taken, of every wight^ 

But ther as God lust gyve it of his myght. 

I woot wel^ the apostel was a mayde ; 

But nathelees^ thogh that he wroot and sayde 80 

He wolde that every wight were swich as he^ 

Al nys but conseil to virginitee; 

And for to been a wyf_, he yaf me leve 

Of indulgence^ so it is no repreve 

To wedde me^ if that my make dye^ 85 

Withouten excepcioun of bigamye. 

"Al were it good no womman for to touche/' 

He mente^ as in his bed or in his couche ; 

For peril is bothe f yr and tow tassemble ; 

Ye knowe what this ensample may resemble. 90 

This is al and som^ he heeld virginitee 

Moore parfit than weddyng in freletee. 

Freletee clepe 1, but if that he and she 

Wolde leden al hir lyf in chastitee. 

64 Whan thapostel. 67 No nat. 73 Poul ne. 85 that om. 91 he heeld that. 
92 par jit profiteth. 94 lede. 



240 



THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 



I graunte it wel^ I have noon envie^ 95 

Thogh maydenhede preferre bigamye; 
Hem liketh to be clene^ body and goost. 
Of myn estaat I nyl nat make no boosts 
For wel ye knowe^ a lord in his houshold^ 
He nath nat every vessel al of gold; 100 

Somme been of tree^ and doon hir lord servyse. 
God clepeth folk to hym in sondry vryse^ 
And everich hath of God a propre yifte^ 
Som this^ som that^ as hym liketh shifte. 
Virginitee is greet perfeccioun^ 105 

And continence eek with devocioun. 
But Crista that of perfeccioun is welle^ 
Bad nat every wight he sholde go selle 
Al that he hadde^ and gyve it to the poore^ 
And in swich wise folwe hym and his foore. 110 

He spak to hem that wolde lyve parfitly^ 
And lordynges^ by youre leve^ that am nat I. 
I wol bistowe the flour of myn age 
In the actes and in fruyt of mariage. 
An housbonde I wol have^ I nyl nat lette^ 
Which shal be bothe my dettour and my thral^ 155 

And have his tribulacioun withal 
Upon his flessh whil that I am his wyf . 
I have the power durynge al my lyf 
Upon his propre body^ and noght he. 

Right thus the Apostel tolde it unto me^ l60 

And bad oure housbondes for to love us weel. 
Al this sentence me liketh every deel^ — 
Up stirte the Pardoner^ and that anon^ 
''Now^ dame/' quod he^ ''by God and by Seint John^ 
Ye been a noble prechour in this cas. l65 

I was aboute to wedde a wyf^ alias ! 
What sholde I bye it on my flessh so deere ? 
Yet hadde I levere wedde no wyf to-yeere !" 

108 he om. 157 that oni. 



PROLOGUE TO THE WYVES TALE 241 

"Abyde/* quod she^ "my tale is nat bigonne. 

Nay^ thou shalt drynken of another tonne^ 170 

Er that I go^ shal savoure wors than ale. 

And whan that I have toold thee forth my tale 

Of tribulacioun in mariage^ 

Of which I am expert in al myn age^ 

(This to seyn^ myself have been the whippe)^ 175 

Than maystow chese wheither thou wolt sippe 

Of thilke tonne that I shal abroche. 

Be war of it^ er thou to ny approche^ 

For I shal telle ensamples mo than ten. 

Whoso that nyl be war by other e men^ 180 

By hym shul othere men corrected be. 

The same wordes writeth Ptholomee; 

Rede it in his Almageste^ and take it there." 

"Dame^ I wolde praye yow^ if youre wyl it were/'' 

Seyde this Pardoner^ ''as ye bigan^ 185 

Telle forth youre tale^ spareth for no man^ 

And teche us yonge men of your praktike." 

"Gladly/' quod she^ "sith it may yow like. 

But yet I praye to al this compaignye^, 

If that I sjDcke after my fantasye^ 190 

As taketh not agrief of that I seye^ 

For myn entente nis but for to pleye." 

— Now sire^ now wol I telle forth my tale^ 
As evere moote I drynken wyn or ale_, 

I shal seye sooth^ tho housbondes that I hadde^ 195 

As thre of hem were goode^ and two were badde. 
The thre men were goode^ and riche^ and olde ; 
Unnethe myghte they the statut holde 
In which that they were bounden unto me — 
Ye woot wel what I meene of this^ pardee ! 200 

As help me God^ I laughe whan I thynke 
How pitously anyght I made hem swynke. 

172 thee om. 173 that is in. 177 that. 180 nyl wol nat. 182 Protholomee. 
184 you' om. 188 quod she sires. 191 of om. 192 nis is. 195 of tho. 



242 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

And by my fey_, I tolde of it no stoor^ 

They had me yeven hir gold and hir tresoor ; 

Me neded nat do lenger diligence 205 

To Wynne hir love^ or doon hem reverence^ 

They loved me so wel^ by God above^ 

That I ne tolde no deyntee of hir love. 

A wys womman wol sette hire evere in oon 

To gete hire love^ ther as she hath noon. 210 

But sith I hadde hem hoolly in myn hond^ 

And sith they hadde me yeven all hir lond, 

What sholde I taken heede hem for to plese_, 

But it were for my profit and myn ese } 

I sette hem so a-werke^ by my fey^ 215 

That many a nyght they songen weilawey. 

The bacoun was nat fet for hem^ I trowe^ 

That som men han in Essex at Dunmowe. 

I governed hem so wel after my lawe, 

That ech of hem ful blisful was^ and fawe 220 

To brynge me gaye thynges fro the fayre. 

They were ful glad whan I spak to hem faire^ 

For God it woot^ I chidde hem spitously. 

Now herkneth hou I baar me proprely^ 

Ye wise wyves^ that kan understonde. 225 

Thus shul ye speke and here hem wrong on honde ; 

For half so boldely kan ther no man 

Swere and lyen^ as a womman kan. 

I sey nat this by wyves that been wyse^ 

But if it be whan they hem mysavyse. 230 

A wys wyf^ if that she kan hir good^ 

Shal beren hym on bond the cow is wood^ 

And take witnesse of hir owene mayde. 

Of hir assent; but herkneth how I sayde. 

*'Sir olde kaynard^ is this thyn array? 235 

Why is my neighebores wyf so gay.^ 

215 werk. 220 hem was. 226 beren; wrong om. 228 kan a womman. 
232 be re. 



PROLOGUE TO THE WYVES TALE 243 

She is honoured overal ther she gooth ; 

I sitte at hoom^ I have no thrifty clooth. 

What dostow at my neighebores hous? 

Is she so fair ? artow so amorous ? 240 

What rowne ye with oure mayde? benedicite^ 

Sir olde lecchour^ lat thy japes be! 

And if I have a gossib or a freend 

Withouten gilt^ thou chidest as a f eend 

If that I walke or pleye unto his hous. 245 

Thou comest hoom as dronken as a mous 

And prechest on thy bench^ with yvel preef ! 

Thou seist to me^ it is a greet mesehief 

To wedde a povre womman^ for costage_, 

And if she be riche and of heigh parage^ 25Q 

Thanne seistow it is a tormentrie 

To soiFren hir pride and hir malencolie. 

And if she be fair^ thou verray knave^ 

Thou seyst that every holour wol hir have; 

She may no while in chastitee abyde 255 

That is assailled upon ech a syde. 

Thou seyst_, som folk desiren us for richesse^ 

Somme for oure shape^ and somme for oure fairnesse. 

And som for she kan outher synge or daunce^ 

And som for gentillesse and daliaunce_, 260 

Som for hir handes and hir armes smale; 

Thus goth al to the devel by thy tale. 

Thou seyst^ men may nat kepe a castel wal^ 

It may so longe assailled been overal. 

And if that she be foul^ thou seist that she 265 

Coveiteth every man that she may se; 

For as a spaynel she wol on hym lepe 

Til that she fynde som man hir to chepe; 

Ne noon so grey goos gooth ther in the lake 

As^ seistow^ wol been withoute make ; 270 

257 that som. 258 and om. 259 kan synge and. 260 som for daliaunce. 
269 ther om. 



244 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

And seyst^ it is an hard thyng for to welde 
A thyng that no man wole^ his thankes^ helde. 
Thus seistow^ lorel^ whan thow goost to bedde^ 
And that no wys man nedeth for to wedde^ 
Ne no man that entendeth unto hevene — 275 

With wilde thonderdynt and firy levene 
Moote thy welked nekke be to-broke ! 
Thow seyst that droppyng houses^ and eek smoke^ 
And chidyng wyves maken men to flee 

Out of hir owene hous^ a benedicitee ! 280 

What eyleth swich an old man for to chide? 
Thow seyst^ we wyves wol oure vices hide 
Til we be fast^ and thanne we wol hem shewe. 
Wei may that be a proverbe of a shrewe ! 
Thou seist^ that oxen^ asses^ hors^ and houndes^ 285 

They been assayd at diverse stoundes ; 
Bacyns^ lavoursj, er that men hem bye^ 
Spoones and stooles^ and al swich housbondrye^ 
And so been pottes^ clothes^ and array; 

But folk of wyves maken noon assay 290 

Til they be wedded^ olde dotard shrewe ! 
Thanne^ seistow^ we wol oure vices shewe. 
Thou seist also^ that it displeseth me 
But if that thou wolt preyse my beautee^ 
And but thou poure alwey upon my face^ 295 

And clepe me 'faire dame' in every place^ 
And but thou make a f eeste on thilke day 
That I was born^ and make me fressh and gay^ 
And but thou do to my norice honour^ 

And to my chamberere withinne my bour^ 300 

And to my fadres folk and hise allyes — 
Thus seistow^ olde barel ful of lyes ! 
And yet of oure apprentice Janekyn^ 
For his crisp heer^ shynynge as gold so fyn_, 
And for he squiereth me bothe up and doun_, 305 

280 houses. 282 that we. 300 chambrere. 



PROLOGUE TO THE WYVES TALE 245 

Yet hastow caught a fals suspecioun. 

I wol hym noght^ thogli thou were deed tomorwe. 

But tel me this^ why hydestow^ with sorwe^ 

The keyes of my cheste awey fro me? 

It is my good as wel as thyn^ pardee; 310 

What wenestow make an ydiot of oure dame? 

Now^ by that lord that called is seint Jame^ 

Thou shalt nat bothe^ thogh that thou were wood^ 

Be maister of my body and of my good ; 

That oon thou shalt forgo^ maugree thyne eyen. 315 

What nedeth thee of me to enquere or spyen? 

I trowe thou woldest loke me in thy chiste. 

Thou sholdest seye^ 'Wyf^ go wher thee liste^ 

Taak youre disport^ I wol not leve no talys, 

I knowe yow for a trewe wyf^ dame Alys/ 320 

We love no man that taketh kepe or charge 

Wher that we goon^ we wol ben at our large. 

Of alle men yblessed moot he be^ 

The wise astrologien^ Daun Ptholome^ 

That seith this proverbe in his Almageste. S25 

*Of alle men his wysdom is the hyeste^ 

That rekketh nevere who hath the world in honde/ 

By this proverbe thou shalt understonde^ 

Have thou ynogh^ what thar thee recche or care 

How myrily that othere folkes fare? 330 

He is to greet a nygard^ that wolde werne 

A man to lighte his candle at his lanterne ; 

He shal have never the lasse light^ pardee^ 335 

Have thou ynogh^ thee thar nat pleyne thee. 

Thou seyst also^ that if we make us gay 

With clothyng and with precious array^ 

That it is peril of oure chastitee; 

And yet^ with sorwe^ thou most enforce thee^ 340 

And seye thise wordes in the apostles name^ 

*In habit^ maad with chastitee and shame^ 

308 this om. 311 to make. 319 not om. 323 blessed. 



246 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Ye wommen shul apparaille yow/ quod he^ 

'And noght in tressed heer and gay perree^ 

As perles^ ne with gold^ ne clothes riche.' S4<5 

After thy text^ ne after thy rubriche 

I wol nat wirche^ as muchel as a gnat ! 

Thou seydest this^ that I was lyk a eat; 

For whoso wolde senge a eattes skyn^ 

Thanne wolde the cat wel dwellen in his in. 350 

And if the eattes skyn be slyk and gay^ 

She wol nat dwelle in house half a day^ 

But forth she wole^ er any day be dawed^ 

To shewe hir skyn^ and goon a caterwawed. 

This is to seye^ if I be gay^ sire shrewe^ S55 

I wol renne out^ my borel for to shewe. 

Sire olde fool^ what eyleth thee to spyen^ 

Thogh thou preye Argus_, with hise hundred eyen^ 

To be my wardecors^ as he kan best^ 

In feith he shal nat kepe me but me lest; 360 

Yet koude I make his berd^ so moot I thee. 

Thou seydest eek^ that ther been thynges thre^ 

The whiche thynges troublen al this erthe^ 

And that no wight ne may endure the ferthe. 

O leeve sire shrewe^ Jesu shorte thy lyf ! 365 

Yet prechestow^ and seyst^ an hateful wyf 

Yrekened is for oon of thise meschances. 

Been ther none othere maner resemblances 

That ye may likne youre parables to^ 

But if a sely wyf be oon of tho? 370 

Thou likenest wommenes love to helle^ 

To bareyne lond^ ther water may nat dwelle. 

Thou liknest it also to wilde fyr; 

The moore it brenneth^ the moore it hath desir 

To consume every thyng that brent wole be. 375 

Thou seyst^ right as wormes shendeth a tree^ 

360 me (2) om. 364 ne om. 366 an and. 368 maner om. 371 liknest. 
375 consumen. 



PROLOGUE TO THE WYVES TALE 247 

Right so a wyf destroyeth hir housboAd. 
This knowe they^ that been to wyves bonde/' 

Lordynges^ right thus^ as ye have understonde^ 
Baar I stifly myne olde housbondes on honde^ 380 

That thus they seyden in hir dronkenesse^ 
And al was fals^ but that I took witnesse 
On Janekyn and on my nece also. 

lord^ the pyne I dide hem^ and the wo 

Ful giltelees^ by Goddes sweete pyne! 385 

For as an hors I koude byte and whyne^ 

1 koude pleyne^ thogh I were in the gilt^ 
Or elles often tyme hadde I been spilt. 
Who so that first to mille comth first grynt; 

I pleyned firsts so was oure werre ystynt. 390 

They were ful glad to excuse hem ful blyve 

Of thyng of which they nevere agilte hir lyve. 

Of wenches wolde I beren hym on honde^ 

Whan that for syk unnethes myghte he stonde^ 

Yet tikled it his herte^ for that he , 305 

Wende that I hadde of hym so greet chiertee. 

I swoor that al my walkynge out by nyghte 

Was for tespye wenches that he dighte. 

Under that colour hadde I many a myrthe; 

For al swich thyng was yeven us in oure byrthe_, 400 

Deceite^ wepyng^ spynnyng^ God hath yeve 

To wommen kyndely whil they may lyve. 

And thus of o thyng I avaunte me^ 

Atte ende I hadde the bettre in ech degree^ 

By sleighte^ or force^ or by som maner thyng^ 405 

As by continued murmure or grucchyng. 

Namely abedde hadden they meschaunce; 

Ther wolde I chide and do hem no plesaunce^ 

I wolde no lenger in the bed abyde^ 

If that I felte his arm over my syde 410 

Til he had maad his raunsoun unto me; 

385 giltlees. 389 who comth first to Mille. 391 ful om. 402 that they. 



248 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Thanne wolde I suffre hym do his nycetee. 

And therfore every man this tale I telle^ 

Wynne who so may^ for al is for to selle. 

With empty hand men may none haukes lure^ — 415 

For wynnyng wolde I al his lust endure 

And make me a feyned appetit; 

And yet in bacoun hadde I nevere delit; 

That made me that evere I wolde hem chide. 

For thogh the pope hadde seten hem biside^ 420 

I wolde nat spare hem at hir owene bord^ 

For by my trouthe I quitte hem word for word. 

As help me verray God omnipotent^ 

Though I right now sholde make my testament, 

I ne owe hem nat a word, that it nys quit. 425 

I broghte it so aboute by my wit, 

That they moste yeve it up as for the beste, 

Or elles hadde we nevere been in reste. 

For thogh he looked as a wood leoun, 

Yet sholde he faille of his conclusioun. 430 

Thanne wolde I seye, ''Goode lief, taak keepe. 

How mekely looketh Wilkyn oure sheepe ! 

Com neer, my spouse, lat me ba thy cheke, 

Ye sholde been al pacient and meke. 

And han a sweete spiced conscience, 435 

Sith ye so preche of Jobes pacience. 

SufFreth alwey, syn ye so wel kan preche. 

And but ye do, certein we shal yow teche 

That it is fair to have a wyf in pees. 

Oon of us two moste bowen, doutelees, 440 

And sith a man is moore resonable, 

Than womman is, ye moste been sufFrable.'' 

Swiche maner wordes hadde we on honde. 

Now wol I speken of my fourthe housbonde. 

My fourthe housbonde was a revelour. 
This is to seyn, he hadde a paramour. 
And I was yong and ful of ragerye, 455 



PROLOGUE TO THE WYVES TALE 249 

Stibourne and strongs and joly as a pye. 

Wei koude I daunce to an harpe smale^ 

And synge^ ywis^ as any nyghtyngale^ 

Whan I had dronke a draughte of sweete wyn. 

MetelliuS;, the foule cherl^ the swyn^ 460 

That with a staf birafte his wyf hire Iji, 

For she drank wyn^ thogh I hadde been his wyf, 

He sholde nat han daunted me fro drynke. 

And after wyn on Venus moste I thynke, 

For al so siker as cold engendreth hayl, 465 

A likerous mouth moste han a likerous tayl. 

In wommen vinolent is no defence_, 

This knowen lecchours by experience. 

But, Lord Crist ! whan that it remembreth me 
Upon my yowthe and on my jolitee, 470 

It tikleth me aboute myn herte-roote. 
Unto this day it dooth myn herte boote 
That I have had my world, as in my tyme. 
But age, alias, that al wole envenynxe. 

Hath me biraft my beautee and my pith ! 475 

Lat go, f are-wel, the devel go therwith ! 
The flour is goon, ther is namoore to telle. 
The bren as I best kan, now moste I selle ; 
But yet to be right myrie wol I fonde. 
Now wol I tellen of my fourthe housbonde. 480 

I seye, I hadde in herte greet despit 
That he of any oother had delit; 
But he was quit, by God and by Seint Joce ! 
I made hym of the same wode a croce ; 

Nat of my body in no foul manere, 485 

But certeinly, I made folk swich cheere 
That in his owene grece I made hym f rye 
For angre and for verray jalousye. 
By God, in erthe I was his purgatorie. 
For which I hope his soule be in glorie, 490 

486 certein. 



250 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

For God it woot^ he sat ful ofte and song 
Whan that his shoo ful bitterly hym wrong! 
Ther was no wight save God and he^ that wiste 
In many wise how soore I hym twiste. 

He deyde whan I cam fro Jerusalem^ 495 

And lith ygrave under the roode-beem^ 
Al is his tombe noght so curyus 
As was the sepulcre of hym Daryus^ 
Which that Appelles wroghte subtilly. 

It nys but wast to burye hym preciously^ 500 

Lat hym fare-wel_, God yeve his soule reste^ 
He is now in his grave^ and in his cheste. 
^Now of my fifthe housbonde wol I telle. 
God lete his soule nevere come in helle ! 

And yet was he to me the mooste shrewe; 505 

That feele I on my ribbes al by rewe^ 
And evere shal^ unto myn endyng day. 
But in oure bed he was ful fressh and gay^ 
And therwithal so wel koude he me glose 
Whan that he wolde han my bele chose^ 510 

That thogh he hadde me bet on every bon 
He koude wynne agayn my love anon. 
I trowe I loved hym beste_, for that he 
Was of his love daungerous to me. 

We wommen han^ if that I shal nat lye^ 515 

In this matere a queynte fantasye; 
Wayte what thyng we may nat lightly have^ 
Ther-after wol we crie al day and crave. 
Forbede us thyng^ and that desiren we; 

Preesse on us faste^ and thanne wol we fle; 520 

With daunger oute we al oure chafFare. 
Greet prees at market maketh deere ware^ 
And to greet cheep is holde at litel prys ; 
This knoweth every womman that is wys. 
My fifthe housbonde^ God his soule blesse^ 525 

513 best. 



II 



PROLOGUE TO THE WYVES TALE 251 

Which that I took for love and no richesse^ 

He somtyme was a clerk of Oxenford^ 

And hadde left scole^ and wente at horn to bord 

With my gossib^ dwellynge in oure toun^ 

God have hir soule ! hir name was Alisoun. 530 

She knew myn herte and eek my privetee 

Bet than oure parisshe preest^ as moot I thee. 

To hir biwreyed I my conseil al^ 

For hadde myn housbonde pissed on a wal^ 

Or doon a thyng that sholde han cost his lyf^ 53 5 

To hir^ and to another worthy wyf^ 

And to my nece^ which that I loved weel^ 

I wolde han toold his conseil every deel. 

And so I dide ful often^ God it woot ! 

That made his face ful often reed and hoot 540 

For verray shame^ and blamed hym self_, for he 

Had toold to me so greet a pryvetee. 

And so bifel that ones^ in a Lente — 
So often tymes I to my gossyb wente^ 

For evere yet I loved to be gay^ 54^5 

And for to walke in March^ Averill^ and May^ 
Fro hous to hous to heere sondry talys — 
That Jankyn Clerk and my gossyb_, dame Alys, 
And I myself into the feeldes wente. 

Myn housbonde was at London al that Lente; 550 

I hadde the bettre leyser for to pleye^ 
And for to se^ and eek for to be seye 
Of lusty folk; what wiste I^ wher my grace 
Was shapen for to be^ or in what place ? 

Therfore I made my visitaciouns 555 

To vigilies and to processiouns. 
To prechyng eek^ and to thise pilgrimages^ 
To pleyes of myracles^ and to mariages ; 
And wered upon my gaye scarlet gytes. 
Thise wormes ne thise motthes^ ne thise mytes^ 560 

550 that the. 



252 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Upon my peril^ frete hem never a deel — 
And wostow why ? for they were used weel ! 

Now wol I tellen forth what happed me. 
I seye^ that in the feeldes walked we^ 

Til trewely we hadde swich daliance^ 565 

This clerk and I^ that of my purveiance 
I spak to hym^ and seyde hym^ how that he^ 
If I were wydwe^ sholde wedde me. 
For certeinly^ I sey for no bobance. 

Yet was I nevere withouten purveiance 570 

Of mariage^ nof othere thynges eek. 
I holde a mouses herte nat worth a leek 
That hath but oon hole for to sterte to^ 
And if that faille_, thanne is al ydo. 

I bar hym on honde_, he hadde enchanted me — 575 

My dame taughte me that soutiltee. 
And eek I seyde^ I mette of hym al nyght^ 
He wolde han slayn me as I lay upright^ 
And al my bed was f ul of verray blood ; 

But yet I hope that he shal do me good^ 580 

For blood bitokeneth gold_, as me was taught — 
And al was fals^ I dremed of it right naughty 
But as I folwed ay my dames loore 
As wel of this^ as of othere thynges moore. 

But now sir^ lat me se^ what I shal seyn? 585 

A ha^ by God ! I have my tale ageyn. 

Whan that my f ourthe housbonde was on beere_, 
I weep algate^ and made sory cheere^ 
As wyves mooten — -for it is usage — ■ 

And with my coverchief covered my visage; 590 

But for that I was purveyed of a make^ 
I wepte but smal^ and that I undertake. 
To chirche was myn housbonde born amorwe 
With neighebores that for hym maden sorwe; 
And Janekyn oure clerk was oon of tho. 595 

583 as om. 595 Jankyn. 



,11 



PROLOGUE TO THE WYVES TALE* 253 

As help me God^ whan that I saugh hym go 

After the beere^ me thoughte he hadde a paire 

Of legges and of feet so clene and faire^ 

That al myn herte I yaf unto his hoold. 

He was_, I trowe_, a twenty wynter oold^ 600 

And I was fourty^ if I shal seye sooth^ 

But yet I hadde alwey a coltes tooth. 

Gat-tothed I was^ and that bicam me weel^ 

I hadde the prente of Seinte Venus seel. 

As help me God_, I was a lusty oon^ 605 

And faire^ and riche_, and yong^ and wel bigon^ 

And trewely^ as myne housbondes tolde me^ 

I hadde the beste quonyam myghte be. 

For certes^ I am al Venerien 

In feelynge^ and myn herte is Marcien. 6lO 

Venus me yaf my lust^ my likerousnesse^ 

And Mars yaf me my sturdy hardynesse. 

Myn ascendent was Taur_, and Mars therinne^ 

AUas^ allas^ that evere love was synne ! 

I folwed ay myn inclinacioun 615 

By vertu of my constellaeioun ; 

That made me I koude noght withdrawe 

My chambre of Venus from a good felawe. 

Yet have I Martes mark upon my f ace^ 

And also in another privee place. 620 

For God so wys be my savacioun^ 

I ne loved nevere by no discrecioun_, 

But evere folwede myn appetite 

Al were he shorty or long^ or blak^ or whit. 

I took no kepe^ so that he liked me^ 625 

How poore he was^ ne eek of what degree. 

What sholde I seye^ but at the monthes ende 

This joly clerk Jankyn^ that was so hende^ 

Hath wedded me with greet solempnytee^ 

And to hym yaf I al the lond and fee 630 

604 seint. 623 folwed. 



254 • THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

That evere was me yeven therbif oore ; 

But afterward repented me £ul soore^ 

He nolde sufFre nothyng of my list. 

By God^ he smoot me ones on the lyst 

For that I rente out of his book a leef^ 635 

That of the strook myn ere wax al deef . 

Stibourne I was as is a leonesse_, 

And of my tonge a verray jangleresse_, 

And walke I wolde^ as I had doon biforn^ 

From hous to hous^ although he had it sworn^ 640 

For which he often-tymes wolde preche^ 

And me of olde Romayn geestes teche_, 

How he Symplicius Gallus lefte his wyf^ 

And hir forsook for terme of al his lyf^ 

Noght but for open-heveded he hir say^ 645 

Lookynge out at his dore^ upon a day. 

Another Romayn tolde he me by name^ 

That for his wyf was at a someres game 

Withoute his wityng^ he forsook hir eke. 

And thanne wolde he upon his Bible seke 650 

That ilke proverbe of Ecclesiaste^ 

Where he comandeth^ and f orbedeth f aste^ 

Man shal nat sufFre his wyf go roule aboute^ 

Thanne wolde he seye right thus^ withouten doute: 

'*Who so that buyldeth his hous al of salwes^ 655 

And priketh his blynde hers over the f alwes^ 

And suiFreth his wyf to go seken halwes^ 

Is worthy to been hanged on the galwes V 

But al for noght^ I sette noght an hawe 

Of his proverbes^ nof his olde lawe, 660 

Ne I wolde nat of hym corrected be. 

I hate hym that my vices telleth me; 

And so doo mo^ God woot^ of us than I ! 

This made hym with me wood al outrely^ 

I nolde noght forbere hym in no cas. 665 

649 with outen. 660 awe. 



I 



PROLOGUE TO THE WYVES TALE 255 

Now wol I seye yow sooth_, by seint Thomas^ 
Why that I rente out of his book a leef^ 
For which he smoot me so that I was deef. 
He hadde a book that gladly^ nyght and day^ 
P'or his desport he wolde rede alway. 670 

,He cleped it 'Valerie and Theofraste/ 
At whiche book he lough alwey ful f aste. 
And eek ther was som tyme a clerk at Rome_, 
A cardinal that highte Seint Jerome^ 

That made a book agayn Jovinian^ 675 

In whiche book eek ther was Tertulan^ 
Crisippus^ Trotula^ and Helowys^ 
That was abbesse nat fer fro Parys^ 
And eek the Parables of Salomon^ 

Ovides Art^ and bookes many on^ 680 

And alle thise were bounden in o volume. 
And every nyght and day was his custume 
Whan he hadde leyser and vacacioun 
From oother worldly occupacioun 

To reden on this book of wikked wyves. 685 

He knew of hem mo legendes and lyves 
Than been of goode wyves in the Bible. 
For trusteth wel^ it is an inpossible 
That any clerk wol speke good of wyves^ 
But if it be of hooly seintes lyves^ 690 

Ne noon oother womman never the mo. 
Who peyntede the leoun^ tel me_, who.^ 
By God^ if wommen hadde writen stories^ 
As clerkes han withinne hire oratories^ 

They wolde han writen of men moore wikkednesse QQ5 

Than all the mark of Adam may redresse. 
The children of Mercuric and Venus 
Been in hir wirkyng ful contrarius^ 
Mercuric loveth wysdam and science^ 
And Venus loveth ryot and dispence. 700 

672, 676 which. 692 peynted. 



256 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

And for hire diverse disposicioun 

Ech falleth in otheres exaltacioun^ 

And tlius^ God woot^ Mercuric is desolat 

In Pisces^ wher Venus is exaltat ; 

And Venus falleth ther Mercuric is reysed. 705 

Therfore no womman of no clerk is preysed. # 

The clerk^ whan he is oold and may noght do 

Of Venus werkes worth his olde sho^ 

Thanne sit he doun^ and writ in his dotage 

That wommen kan nat kepe hir mariage. 710 

But now to purpos^ why I tolde thee 
That I was beten for a book^ pardee. 
Upon a nyght Jankyn^ that was oure sire, 
Redde on his book as he sat by the fire 

Of Eva first, that for hir wikkednesse 715 

Was al mankynde broght to wrecchednesse, 
For which that Jesu Crist hymself was slayn. 
That boghte us with his herte-blood agayn. 
Lo_, heere expres of womman may ye fynde, 
That womman was the los of al mankynde. • 720 

Tho redde he me how Sampson loste hise heres, 
Slepynge, his lemman kitte it with hir sheres, 
Thurgh whiche tresoun loste he bothe hise eyen. 
Tho redde he me, if that I shal nat lyen. 
Of Hercules and of his Dianyre, 725 

That caused hym to sette hymself afyre. 
No thyng forgat he the penaunce and wo 
That Socrates hadde with hise wyves two, 
How Xantippa caste pisse up-on his heed. 
This sely man sat stille as he were deed; 730 

He wiped his heed, namoore dorste he seyn 
But, *'er that thonder stynte, comth a reyn.'' 
Of Phasifpha, that was the queene of Crete, 
For shrewednesse hym thoughte the tale swete — 
Fy, speke namoore ! it is a grisly thyng 735 

717 that Jesu om. 723 which. 727 penaunce sorwe. 



II 



PROLOGUE TO THE WYVES TALE 257 

Of hir horrible lust and hir likyng. 

Of Clitermystra for hire lecherye^ 

That falsly made hir housbonde for to dye^ 

He redde it with ful good devocioun. 

He tolde me eek for what occasioun 740 

Amphiorax at Thebes loste his lyf . 

Myn housbonde hadde a legende of his wyf 

Eriphilem_, that for an ouche of gold 

Hath prively unto the Grekes told 

Wher that hir housbonde hidde hym in a place^ 745 

For which he hadde at Thebes sory grace. 

Of Lyma tolde he me^ and of Lucye^ 

They bothe made hir housbondes for to dye^ 

That oon for love^ that oother was for hate. 

Lyma hir housbonde_, on an even late^ 750 

Empoysoned hath^ for that she was his fo. 

Lucia likerous loved hir housbonde so^ 

That for he sholde alwey upon hire thynke^ 

She yaf hym swich a manere love-drynke 

That he was deed^ er it were by the morwe. 755 

And thus algates housbondes han sorw. 

Thanne tolde he me^ how that Latumyus 

Compleyned unto his felawe Arrius^ 

That in his gardyn growed swich a tree^ 

On which he seyde how that hise wyves thre 760 

Hanged hemself^ for herte despitus. 

''O leeve brother/' quod this Arrius^ 

"Yif me a plante of thilke blissed tree. 

And in my gardyn planted it shal bee." 

Of latter date of wyves hath he red^ 765 

That somme han slayn hir housbondes in hir bed^ 

And lete hir lecchour dighte hir al the nyght^ 

Whan that the corps lay in the floor upright. 

And somme han dryve nayles in hir brayn 

Whil that they slepte^ and thus they han hem slayn. 770 

750 upon. 757 that oon. 



258 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Somme han hem yeve poysoun in hir drynke. 

He spak moore harm than herte may bithynke, 
iVnd therwithal he knew of mo proverbes 
Than in this world ther growen gras or herbes. 
*'Bet is/' quod he^ ''thyn habitacioun 775 

Be with a leoun^ or a foul dragoun^ 
Than with a womman usynge for to chyde/' 
''Bet is_,'' quod he^ ''hye in the roof abyde 
Than with an angry wyf doun in the hous^ 
They been so wikked and eontrarious. 780 

They haten that hir housbondes loveth ay/' 
He seyde^ "a womman cast hir shame away 
Whan she cast of hir smok/' and forther mo^ 
''A fair womman^ but she be chaast also^ 
Is lyk a goldryng in a sowes nose." 785 

Who wolde leeve^ or who wolde suppose 
The wo that in myn herte was^ and pyne? 
And whan I saugh he wolde nevere fyne 
To reden on this cursed book al nyght^ 

Al sodeynly thre leves have I plyght 790 

Out of his book^ right as he radde^ and eke 
I with my fest so took hym on the cheke^ 
That in oure fyr he fil bakward adoun. 
And he up-stirte as dooth a wood leoun^ 

And with his fest he smoot me on the heed 795 

That in the floor I lay^ as I were deed. 
And whan he saugh how stille that I lay^ 
He was agast_, and wolde han fled his way^ 
Til atte laste out of my swogh I breyde. 
''O^ hastow slayn me^ false theef/' I seyde^ 800 

''And for my land thus hastow mordred me.^ 
Er I be deed^ yet wol I kisse thee." 
And neer he cam and kneled f aire adoun^ 
And seyde^ "deere suster Alisoun^ 

As help me God^ I shal thee nevere smyte. 805 

That I have doon^ it is thyself to wyte^ 



PROLOGUE TO THE WYVES TALE 259 

Foryeve it me^ and that I thee biseke/' 

And yet eftsoones I hitte hym on the cheke^ 

And seyde^ ''theef^ thus muchel am I wreke; 

Now wol I dye^ I may no lenger speke." 810 

But atte laste^ with muchel care and wo^ 

We fille acorded by us selven two. 

He yaf me al the bridel in myn hond^ 

To han the governance of hous and lond^ 

And of his tonge^ and of his hond also^ 815 

And made hym brenne his book anon right the. 

And whan that I hadde geten unto me 

By maistrie^ al the soveraynetee^ 

And that he seyde^ **myn owene trewe wyf^ 

Do as thee lust the terme of al thy lyf^ 820 

Keepe thyn honour^ and keep eek myn estaat^" 

After that day we hadden never debaat. 

God help me so^ I was to hym as kynde 

As any wyf from Denmark unto Ynde_, 

And also trewe_, and so was he to me. 825 

I prey to God^ that sit in magestee^ 

So blesse his soule for his mercy deere. 

Now wol I seye my tale_, if ye wol heere. 

Biholde the wordes hitwene the Somonour and the Frere. 

The Frere lough whan he hadde herd al this. — 

*'Now dame^'' quod he^ "so have I joye or blis^ 830 

This is a long preamble of a tale.'' 

And whan the Somonour herde the Frere gale^ 

*'Lo^'' quod the Somonour_, ''Goddes armes two^ 

A frere wol entremette hym evere-mo. 

Lo goode men^ a flye and eek a frere 835 

Wol falle in every dyssh and eek mateere. 

What spekestow of preambulacioun .^ 

What^ amble^ or trotte^ or pees^ or go sit doun^ 

815 Of (2) om. 820 the to. 



260 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Thou lettest oure disport in this manere/' 

**Ye^ woltow so^ sire Somonour?'' quod the frere^ 840 

''Now by my feith^ I shal er that I go 

Telle of a Somonour swich a tale or two 

That alle the folk shal laughen in this place." 

''Now elles^ frere^ I bishrewe thy face^'' 

Quod this Somonour^ "and I bishrewe me^ 845 

But if I telle tales two or thre 

Of freres^ er I come to Sidyngborne^ 

That I shal make thyn herte for to morne^ 

For wel I woot thy pacience is gon/' 

Oure Hooste cride^ "Pees^ and that anon \" 850 

And seyde^ "lat the womman telle hire tale_, 

Ye fare as folk that dronken were of ale. 

Do_, dame^ telle forth youre tale^ and that is best.'' 

"Al redy^ sire_,'' quod she^ "right as yow lest_, 

If I have licence of this worthy frere." 855 

"Yis^ dame/' quod he^ "tel forth^ and I wol heere." 

Heere endeth the Wyf of Bathe hir Prologe, 



I 



THE TALE OF THE WYF OF BATH 

Here higynneth the Tale of the Wyf of Bathe. 

In tholde dayes of the Kyng Arthour^ 
Of which that Britons speken greet honour^ 
All was this land fulfild of Fayerye. 

The elf-queene^ with hir joly compaignye_, 860 

Daunced ful ofte in many a grene mede; ' 
This was the olde opinion^ as I rede. 
I speke of manye hundred yeres ago; 
But now kan no man se none elves mo^ 

For now the grete charitee and prayeres 865 

Of lymytours;, and othere hooly freres^ 
That serchen every lond and every streem 
As thikke as motes in the sonne-beem^ 
Blessynge halles_, chambres_, kichene^^ boures_, 
Citees^ burghes^ castels^ hye toures^ 870 

Thropes^ bernes^ shipnes^ dayeryes^ 
This maketh that ther been no Fayeryes. 
For ther as wont to walken was an elf^ 
Ther walketh now the lymytour hymself 

In undermeles and in morwenynges^ 875 

And seyth his matyns and his hooly thynges 
As he gooth in his lymytaeioun. 
Wommen may go saufly up and doun; 
In every bussh or under every tree 

Ther is noon oother incubus but he^ 880 

And he ne wol doon hem but dishonour. 

And so bifel it that this kyng Arthour 
Hadde in his hous a lusty bacheler^ 
That on a day cam ridynge fro ryver; 
And happed that^ all one as she was born^ 885 

857 the om. 859 fifairye. 882 if ohi. 872 ffairyes. 883 his om. S85 she he. 



262 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

He saugh a mayde walkynge hym biforn_, 

Of whiche mayde anon^ maugree hir heed^ 

By verray force he rafte hir maydenhed; 

For which oppressioun was swich clamour 

And swich pursute unto the kyng Arthour^ 890 

That dampned was this knyght for to be deed 

By cours of lawe^ and sholde han lost his heed^ 

Paraventure_, swich was the statut tho_, 

But that the queene and othere ladyes mo 

So longe preyeden the kyng of grace, 895 

Til he his lyf hym graunted in the place, 

And yaf hym to the queene al at hir wille, 

To chese, wheither she wolde hym save or spille. 

The queene thanketh the kyng with al hir myght. 

And after this thus spak she to the knyght, 900 

Whan that she saugh hir tyme, upon a day, 

'*Thou standest yet,'' quod she, *'in swich array 

That of thy lyf yet hastow no suretee. 

I grante thee lyf, if thou kanst tellen me 

What thyng is it that wommen moost desiren. 905 

Be war and keep thy nekke-boon from iren. 

And if thou kanst nat tellen it anon. 

Yet shal I yeve thee leve for to gon 

A twelf-month and a day to seche and leere 

An answere sufEsant in this mateere; 910 

And suretee wol I han, er that thou pace. 

Thy body for to yelden in this place." 

Wo was this knyght^ and sorwefully he siketh. 
But what! he may nat do al as hym liketh; 
And at the laste he chees hym for to wende, 915 

And come agayn right at the yeres ende. 
With swich answere as God wolde hym purveye; 
And taketh his leve, and wendeth forth his weye. 
He seketh every hous and every place. 
Where as he hopeth for to fynde grace 920 

887 which. 888 he om.; birafte. 895 preyden. 914 vhat om. 



THE TALE OF THE WYF OF BATH 

To lerne what thyng wommen loven moost; 

But he ne koude arryven in no coost 

Wher as he myghte fynde in this mateere 

Two creatures accordynge in feere. 

Somme seyde^ wommen loven best richesse^ 925 

Somme seyde honour^ somme seyde jolynesse^ 

Somme riche array^ somme seyden lust abedde^ 

And oftetyme to be wydwe and wedde. 

Somme seyde_, that oure hertes been moost esed 

Whan that we been yflatered and yplesed — 930 

He gooth ful ny the sothe_, I wol nat lye^ 

A man shal wynne us best with flaterye ; 

And with attendance and with bisynesse 

Been we ylymed^ bothe moore and lesse. — 

And somme seyn^ how that we loven best 9S5 

For to be free_, and do right as us lest^ 

And that no man repreve us of oure vice^ 

But seye that we be wise^ and nothyng nyce. 

For trewely_, ther is noon of us alle^ - 

If any wight wol clawe us on the galle_, 9^0 

That we nel kike; for he seith us sooth; 

Assay^ and he shal fynde it that so dooth. 

For be we never so vicious withinne_, 

We wol been holden wise^ and clene of synne. 

And somme seyn^ that greet delit han we 9"^^ 

For to been holden stable and eke secree^ 

And in o purpos stedefastly to dwelle^ 

And nat biwreye thyng that men us telle. 

But that tale is nat worth a rake-stele^ 

Pardee^ we wommen konne no thyng hele. 950 

Witnesse on Myda — wol ye heere the tale? 

Ovyde_, amonges othere thynges smale^ 

Seyde^ Myda hadde under his longe heres 

Growynge upon his heed two asses eres^ 

The whiche vice he hydde^ as he best myghte, 955 

935 hoir om. 955 which. 



264 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Fill subtilly from every mannes sighte; 

That^ save his wyf^ ther wiste of it namo^ 

He loved hir moost and trusted hir also. 

He preyede hir_, that to no creature 

She sholde tellen of his disfigure. 960 

She swoor him nay^ for al this world to wynne^ 

She nolde do that vileynye or synne^ 

To make hir housbonde han so foul a name^ 

She nolde nat telle it for hir owene shame ! 

But nathelees^ hir thoughte that she dyde^ 965 

That she so longe sholde a eonseil hyde^ 

Hir thoughte it swal so soore aboute hir herte 

That nedely som word hir moste asterte. 

And sith she dorste telle it to no man^ 

Doun to a mareys faste by she ran^ 970 

Til she came there_, hir herte was afyre^ 

And as a bitore bombleth in the myre. 

She leyde hir mouth unto the water doun ; — 

"Biwreye me nat^ thou water^ with thy soun^" 

Quod she^ ''to thee I telle it and namo^ 975 

Myn housbonde hath longe asses erys two ! 

Now is myn herte al hool^ now is it oute^ 

I myghte no lenger kepe it_, out of doute.'' 

Heere may ye se_, thogh we a tyme abyde^ 

Yet out it moot^ we kan no eonseil hyde. — 980 

The remenant of the tale^ if ye wol heere^ 

Redeth Ovyde^ and ther ye may it leere. — 

This knyght^ of which my tale is specially, 
Whan that he saugh he myghte nat come therby_, 
This is to seye, what wommen love moost^ 985 

Withinne his brest ful sorweful was the goost. 
But hoom he gooth, he myghte nat sojourne; 
The day was come that homward moste he tourne. 
And in his wey it happed hym to ryde 
In al this care under a forest syde_, 990 

958 truste. 959 preyde. 



THE TALE OF THE WYF OF BATH 265 

Wher as he saugh upon a daunce go 

Of ladyes f oure and twenty^ and yet mo ; 

Toward the whiche daunce he drow ful yerne^ 

In hope that som wysdom sholde he lerne. 

But certeinly^ er he came fully there^ 995 

Vanysshed was this daunce^ he nyste where^ 

No creature saugh he that bar lyf_, 

Save on the grene he saugh sittynge a wyf^ 

A fouler wight ther may no man devyse. 

Agayn the knyght this olde wyf gan ryse^ 1000 

And seyde^ *'Sire knyght^ heer-forth ne lith no wey; 

Tel me what that ye seken^ by your fey. 

Par a venture it may the bettre be^ 

Thise olde folk kan muchel thyng/' quod she. 

"My leeve mooder/' quod this knyght^ '*certeyn^ 1005 

I nam but deed_, but if that I kan seyn 

What thyng it is_, that wommen moost desire. 

Koude ye me wisse^ I wolde wel quite youre hire.'' 

"Plight me thy trouthe^ heere in myn hand/' quod she^ 

"The nexte thyng that I requere thee^ 1010 

Thou shalt it do^ if it lye in thy myght^ 

And I wol telle it yow^ er it be nyght." 

"Have heer my trouthe^" quod the knyght^ "I grante." 

"Thanne/' quod she_, "I dar me wel avante^ 

Thy lyf is s^uf^ for I wol stonde therby 1015 

Upon my lyf^ the queene wol seye as I. 

Lat se which is the proudeste of hem alle^ 

That wereth on a coverchief or a calle^ 

That dar seye nay of that I shal thee teche. 

Lat us go forth withouten lenger speche." 1020 

Tho rowned she a pistel in his ere^ 

And bad hym to be glad and have no fere. 

Whan they be comen to the courts this knyght 
Seyde he had holde his day^ as he hadde hight^ 
And redy was his answere^ as he sayde. 1025 

993 which. 



266 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Ful many a noble wyf^ and many a mayde^ 

And many a wydwe^ for that they been wise^ 

The queene hirself sittynge as a justise_, 

Assembled been^ his answere for to heere ; 

And afterward this knyght was bode appeere. 1030 

To every wight comanded was silence^ 

And that the knyght sholde telle in audience 

What thyng that worldly wommen loven best. 

This knyght ne stood nat stille^ as doth a best^ 

But to his questioun anon answerde 1035 

With manly voys^ that al the court it herde: 

"My lige lady^ generally/' quod he^ 

"Wommen desiren to have sovereynetee 

As wel over hir housbond as hir love^ 

And for to been in maistrie hym above. 1040 

This is youre mooste desir^ thogh ye me kille^ 

Dooth as yow list^ I am heer at youre wille.'' 

In al the court ne was ther wyf ne mayde 

Ne wydwe that contraried that he sayde^ 

But seyden he was worthy han his lyf. 1045 

And with that word up stirte the olde wyf^ 

Which that the knyght saugh sittynge in the grene. 

"Mercy/' quod she^ "my sovereyn lady queene^ 

Er that youre court departe^ do me right. 

I taughte this answere unto the knyght_, . 1050 

For which he plighte me his trouthe there^ 

The firste thyng I wolde of hym requere_, 

He wolde it do^ if it lay in his myght. 

Bifor the court thanne preye I thee^ sir kynght/' 

Quod she^ "that thou me take unto thy wyf^ 1055 

For wel thou woost that I have kept thy lyf. 

If I seye fals^ sey nay^ upon thy fey!" 

This knyght answerde^ "Alias and weylawey ! 

I woot right wel that swich was my biheste ! 

For Goddes love^ as chees a newe requeste_, 1060 

1028 a om. 1038 to om. 1042 heer om. 1052 of om. 



THE TALE OF THE WYF OF BATH 267 

Taak al my good^ and lat my body go !" 

''Nay_, thanne/' quod she^ ''I shrewe us bothe two^ 

For thogh that I be foul^ and oold^ and poore^ 

I nolde for al the metal^ ne for oore^ 

That under erthe is grave^ or lith above^ 1065 

But if thy wyf I were^ and eek thy love/' 

''My love?" quod he^ 'nay^ my dampnacioun ! 

Allas_, that any of my nacioun 

Sholde evere so foule disparaged be l" 

But al for noght^ the ende is this^ that he 1070 

Constreyned was^ he nedes moste hir wedde^ 
And taketh his olde wyf;, and gooth to bedde. 
Now wolden som men seye_, paraventure^ 
That for my necligence I do no cure 

To tellen yow the joye and al tharray^ 1075 

That at the f eeste was that ilke day ; 
To whiche thyng shortly answere I shal. 
I seye^ ther nas no joye ne f eeste at al^ 
Ther nas but hevynesse and muche sOrwe_, 
For prively he wedde hir on a morwe^ 1080 

And al day after hidde hym as an owle^ 
So wo was hym^ his wyf looked so foule. 
Greet was the wo the knyght hadde in his thoght^ 
Whan he was with his wyf abedde ybroght^ 
He walweth and he turneth to and fro. 1085 

His olde wyf lay smylynge everemo^ 
And seyde^ ''O deere housbonde^ benedicitee^ 
Fareth every knyght thus with his wyf^ as ye? 
Is this the la we of Kyng Arthures hous ? 

Is every knyght of his so dangerous? 1090 

I am youre owene love^ and eek your wyf; 
I am she which that saved hath youre lyf . 
And certes_, yet dide I yow nevere unright; 
Why fare ye thus with me this firste nyght ? 

1065 and (1) om. 1070 thende. 1077 which. 1080 wedded. 1091 eek om. 
1093 ne dide. 



268 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Ye faren lyk a man had lost his wit. 1095 

What is my gilt ? for Goddes love^ tel it^ 

And it shal been amended^ if I may/' 

'^Amended/' quod this knyght^ ''alias ! nay ! nay ! 

It wol nat been amended nevere mo ; 

Thou art so loothly and so oold also 1100 

And therto comen of so lough a kynde^ 

That litel wonder is thogh I walwe and wynde. 

So wolde God^ myn herte wolde breste !" 

*'Is this/' quod she^ ''the cause of youre unreste?'' 

"Ye^ certeinly/' quod he^ "no wonder is!'' 1105 

"Now^ sire/' quod she^ "I koude amende al this_, 

If that me liste^ er it were dayes thre^ 

So wel ye myghte bere yow unto me. 

But for ye speken of swich gentillesse 
As is descended out of old richesse^ 1110 

That therfore sholden ye be gentil men^ 
Swich arrogance nis nat worth an hen. 
Looke who that is moost vertuous alway^ 
Pryvee and apert^ and moost entendeth ay 
To do the gentil dedes that he kan^ 1115 

Taak hym for the grettest gentil-man. 
Crist wole^ we clayme of hym oure gentillesse^ 
Nat of oure eldres for hire old richesse. 
For thogh they yeve us al hir heritage^ 

For which we clayme to been of heigh parage,, 1120 

Yet may they nat biquethe for no thyng 
To noon of us hir vertuous lyvyng^ 
That made hem gentil men ycalled be^ 
And bad us folwen hem in swich degree. 
Wel kan the wise poete of Florence^ 1125 

That highte Dant^ speken in this sentence. 
Lo in swich maner rym is D antes tale: 
'Ful selde upriseth by his branches smale 
Prowesse of man^ for God of his goodnesse 



THE TALE OF THE WYF OF BATH 269 

Wole^ that of hym we clayme oure gentillesse/ 1130 

For of oure eldres may we no thyng clayme 

But temporel thyng^ that man may hurte and mayme. 

Eek every wight woot this as wel as I, 

If gentillesse were planted natureelly 

Unto a certeyn lynage doun the lyne^ 1135 

Pryvee nor apert^ thanne wolde they nevere fyne 

To doon of gentillesse the faire office^ 

They myghte do no vileynye or vice. 

Taak fyr^ and ber it in the derkeste hous 

Bitwix this and the mount of Kaukasous^ 1140 

And lat men shette the dores and go thenne^ 

Yet wole the fyr as faire lye and brenne 

As twenty thousand men myghte it biholde ; 

His office natureel ay wol it holde^ 

Up peril of my lyf^ til that it dye. 1145 

Heere may ye se wel^ how that genterye 
Is nat annexed to possessioun^ 
Sith folk ne doon hir operacioun 
Alwey^ as dooth the fyr^ lo^ in his kynde. 
For God it woot^ men may wel often fynde 1150 

A lordes sone do shame and vileynye^ 
And he that wole han pris of his gentry e^ 
For he was boren of a gentil hous^ 
And hadde hise eldres noble and vertuous^ 
And nel hym-selven do no gentil dedis^ 1155 

Xe folwen his gentil auncestre that deed is^ 
He nys nat gentil^ be he due or erl; 
For vileyns synful dedes make a cherl. 
For gentillesse nys but renomee 

Of thyne auncestres for hire heigh bountee^ 11 60 

Which is a strange thyng to thy persone. 
Thy gentillesse cometh fro God allone^ 
Thanne comth oure verray gentillesse of grace^ 
It was no thyng biquethe us with oure place. 

1153 born. 



270 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Thenketh hou noble^ as seith Valerius^ 1165 

Was thilke Tullius Hostillius^ 

That out of poverte roos to heigh noblesse. 

Reedeth Senek_, and redeth eek Boece^ 

Ther shul ye seen expres that it no drede is^ 

That he is gentil that dooth gentil dedis. 1170 

And therfore^ leeve housbonde^ I thus conclude^ 

Al were it that myne auncestres weren rude^ 

Yet may the hye God — and so hope I^ — 

Grante me grace to lyven vertuously. 

Thanne am I gentil whan that I bigynne 1175 

To lyven vertuously^ and weyve synne. 

And ther as ye of poverte me repreeve^ 
The hye God^ on whom that we bileeve 
In wilful poverte chees to lyve his lyf . 

And certes every man^ mayden or wyf ^ 1180 

May understonde that Jesus^ hevene kyng^ 
Ne wolde nat chesen vicious lyvyng. 
Glad poverte is an honeste thyng^ certeyn^ 
This wole Senec and othere clerkes seyn. 
Who so that halt hym payd of his poverte^ 1185 

I holde hym riche^ al hadde he nat a sherte ; 
He that coveiteth is a povre wight^ 
For he wolde han that is nat in his myght^ 
But he that noght hath^ ne coveiteth have^ 
Is riche_, although ye holde hym but a knave. 1190 

Verray poverte^ it syngeth proprely. 
Juvenal seith of poverte myrity^ 
'The povre man^ whan he goth by the weye^ 
Bifore the theves he may synge and pleye.' 
Poverte is hateful good^ and^ as I gesse^ 1195 

A f ul greet bryngere out of bisynesse ; 
A greet amender eek of sapience 
To hym that taketh it in pacience. 
Poverte is this^ although it seme elenge; 

1168 Reed. 1169 it om. 1187 pouere. 1199 alenge. 



THE TALE OF THE WYF OF BATH 271 

Possessioun^ that no wight wol chalenge. 1200 

Poverte ful ofte_, whan a man is lowe^ 

Maketh his God and eek hymself to knowe^ 

Poverte a spectacle is^ as thynketh me^ 

Thurgh which he may hise verray freendes see. 

And therfore^ sire^ syn that I noght yow greve^ 1205 

Of my poverte namoore ye me repreve. 

Now sire^ of elde ye repreve me^ 
And certes^ sire/ thogh noon auctoritee 
Were in no book^ ye gentils of honour 

Seyn^ that men sholde an oold wight doon favour^ 1210 

And clepe hym fader for youre gentillesse^ 
And auctours shal I fynden^ as I gesse. 

Now_, ther ye seye that I am foul and old^ 
Than drede you noght to been a cokewold; 
For filthe and eelde^ al so moot I thee^ 1215 

Been grete wardeyns upon chastitee; 
But nathelees^ syn I knowe youre delit^ 
I shal fulfille youre worldly appetit'/' 
**Chese now/' quod she_, ''oon of thise thynges tweye: 
To han me foul and old til that I deye^ 1220 

And be to yow a trewe humble wyf^ 
And nevere yow displese in al my lyf ; 
Or elles ye wol han me yong and fair^ 
And take youre aventure of the repair 

That shal be to youre hous_, by cause of me^ 1225 

Or in som oother place may wel be. 
Now chese yourselven wheither that yow liketh/' 

This knyght avyseth hym and sore siketh^ 
But atte laste^ he seyde in this manere: 

''My lady and my love^ and wyf so deere^ 1230 

I put me in youre wise governance. 
Cheseth yourself^ which may be moost plesance 
And moost honour to yow and me also. 
I do no fors the wheither of the two^ 
For^ as yow liketh_, it suffiseth me.'* 1235 



/ 



272 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

**Thanne have I gete of yow maistrie_,'' quod she^ 

''Syn I may chese and governe as me lest?'' 

''Ye^ certes^ wyi/' quod he^ *'I holde it best/' 

''Kys me/' quod she^ *Ve be no lenger wrothe^ 

For^ by my trouthe^ I wol be to yow bothe ! 1240 

This is to seyn_, ye, bothe fair and good. 

I prey to God that I moote sterven wood 

But I to yow be al so good and trewe 

As evere was wyf^ syn that the world was newe. 

And but I be tomorn as fair to seene 1245 

As any lady^ emperice or queene^ 

That is bitwixe the est and eke the west^ 

Dooth with my lyf and deth right as yow lest. 

Cast up the curtyn^ looke how that it is." 

And whan the knyght saugh verraily al this^ 1250 

That she so fair was^ and so yong therto^ 
For joye he hente hire in hise armes two. 
His herte bathed in a bath of blisse^ 
A thousand tyme arewe he gan hir kisse^ 

And she obeyed hym in every thyng 1255 

That myghte doon hym plesance or likyng. 

And thus they lyve unto hir lyves ende 
In parfit joye; — and Jesu Crist us sende 
Housbondes meeke^ yonge^ fressh abedde^ 
And grace toverbyde hem that we wedde. 1260 

And eek I praye Jesu shorte hir lyves^ 
That nat wol be governed by hir wyves ; 
And olde and angry nygardes of dispence^ 
God sende- hem soone verray pestilence! 
1261 pray. 

Heere endeth the Wyves tale of Bathe. 



PROLOGUE TO THE FRERES TALE 

The Prologe of the Freres Tale, 

This worthy lymytour^ this noble frere^ 1265 

He made alwey a maner louryng chiere 
Upon the Somonour^ but for honestee 
No vileyns word as yet to hym spak he. 
But atte laste he seyde unto the wyf^ 

**Dame^'' quod he^ **God yeve yow right good lyf ! 1270 

Ye han heer touched, also moot I thee^ 
In scole-matere greet difficultee. 
Ye han seyd muche thyng right wel^ I seye. 
But dame^ heere as we ryde by the weye 
Us nedeth nat to speken but of game^ 1275 

And lete auctoritees^ on Goddes name^ 
To prechyng and to scole eek of clergye. 
But if it lyke to this compaignye^ » 
I wol yow of a somonour telle a game. 

Pardee^ ye may wel knowe by the name 1280 

That of a somonour may no good be sayd; 
I praye that noon of you be yvele apayd. 
A somonour is a renner up and doun 
With mandementz for fornicacioun^ 

And is ybet at every townes ende.'' 1285 

Oure Hoost tho spak^ "A sire^ ye sholde be hende 
And curteys^ as a man of youre estaat. 
In compaignye we wol have no debaat. 
Telleth youre tale^ and lat the Somonour be." 
*'Nay/' quod the Somonour^ "lat hym seye to me 1290 

What so hym list. Whan it comth to my lot^ 
By God I shal hym quiten every grot. 
I shal hym tellen which a greet honour 
It is to be a flaterynge lymytour_, 

1278 But And. 



/ 



274 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

And his office I shal hym telle^ ywis/' 1295 

Oure Hoost answerde^ '*Pees_, namoore of this V 
And after this he seyde unto the Frere^ 
'*Tel forth youre tale^ leeve maister deere." 

THE TALE. 

[How a Summoner^ meeting a devil dressed as a yeoman^ 
agrees to share gifts with him as a friend; and is himself 
consigned to the devil by a poor old woman. Then follow 
the Summoner's Prologue and Tale of an insult put by a 
goodman upon a greedy friar.] 



GROUP E. 

THE CLERKES TALE— PROLOGUE 

Heere folweth the Prologe of the clerhes tale of Oxenford, 

*'Sire clerk of Oxenford/' oure Hooste sayde^ 

''Ye ryde as coy and stille as dooth a mayde^ 

Were newe spoused^ sittynge at the bord. 

This day ne herde I of youre tonge a word. 

I trowe ye studie about som sophyme; 5 

But Salomon seith^ 'every thyng hath tyme/ 

For Goddes sake_, as beth of bettre cheere; 

It is no tyme for to studien heere^ 

Telle us som myrie tale^ by youre fey. 

For what man that is entred in a pley^ 10 

He nedes moot unto the pley assente ; 

But precheth nat as freres doon in Lente^ 

To make us for oure olde synnes wepe^ 

Ne that thy tale make us nat to slepe. 

Telle us som murie thyng of aventures ; 1 5 

Youre termes_, youre colours^ and youre figures^ 

Keep hem in stoor^ til so be that ye endite 

Heigh style_, as whan that men to kynges write. 

Speketh so pleyn at this tyme^ we yow preye^ 

That we may understonde what ye seye." 20 

This worthy clerk benignely answerde^ 

"Hooste/' quod he^ "I am under youre yerde. 

Ye han of us as now^ the governance ; 

And therfore wol I do yow obeisance 

As fer as resoun axeth^ hardily. 25 

I wol yow telle a tale^ which that I 

Lerned at Padwe of a worthy clerk^ 

1, 22 Hoost. 



/ 



276 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

As preved by his wordes and his werk. 

He is now deed^ and nayled in his cheste ; 

I prey to God so yeve his soule reste. 30 

Fraunceys Petrark^ the lauriat poete^ 

Highte this clerk^ whos rethorike sweete 

Enlumyned al Ytaille of poetrie^ 

As Lynyan dide of philosophies 

Or lawe. or oother art particuler. 35 

But deeth^ that wol nat sufFre us dwellen heer 

But as it were a twynklyng of an eye^ 

Hem bothe hath slayn^ and alle shul we dye. 

But forth to tellen of this worthy man^ 
That taughte me this tale as I bigan^ 40 

I seye^ that first with heigh stile he enditeth 
Er he the body of his tale writeth^ 
A prohemye in the which discryveth he 
Pemond^ and of Saluces the contree^ 

And speketh of Apennyn^ the hilles hye^ 45 

That been the boundes of Westlumbardye ; 
And of Mount Vesulus in special^ 
Where as the Poo out of a welle smal 
Taketh his firste spryngyng and his sours^ 
That estward ay encresseth in his cours 50 

To Emeleward^ to Ferrare^ and Venyse; 
The which a long thyng were to devyse. 
And trewely^ as to my juggement^ 
Me thynketh it a thyng impertinent^ 

Save that he wole convoyen his mateere; 55 

But this his tale^ which that ye may heere." 

31 Perak. S2 rethorik. 36 suffre its om. 



THE CLERKES TALE 

Heere higynneth the tale of the Clerk of Oxenford. 

Ther is^ at the west syde of Ytaille^ 

Doun at the roote of Vesulus the colde, 

A lusty playne_, habundant of vitaille^ 

Where many a tour and toun thou mayst biholde 60 

That founded were in tyme of fadres olde^ 

And many another delitable sighte^ 

And Saluces this noble contree highte. 

A markys whilom lord was of that lond^ 

As Avere hise worthy eldres hym bifore_, 65 

And obeisant and redy to his bond 

Were alle hise liges_, bothe lasse and moore. 

Thus in delit he lyveth_, and hath doon yoore^ 

Biloved and drad thurgh favour of Fortune^ 

Bothe of hise lordes and of his commune. 70 

Therwith he was^ to speke as of lynage^ 

The gentilleste yborn of Lumbardye; 

A fair persone^ and strongs and yong of age_, 

And ful of honour and of curteisye^ 

Discreet ynogh his contree for to gjt, 75 

Save that in somme thynges that he was to blame, 

And Walter was this yonge lordes name. 

I blame hym thus, that he considereth noght 

In tyme comynge what hym myghte bityde^ 

But in his lust present was al his thoght, 80 

As for to hauke and hunte on every syde. 

Wei ny alle othere cures leet he slyde ; 

And eek he nolde, — and that was worst of alle — 

Wedde no wyf, for noght that may bifalle. 

74 of om. 



278 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Oonly that point his peple bar so soore^ 85 

That flokmeele on a day they to hym wente^ 

And oon of hem^ that wisest was of loore^ 

Or elles that the lord best wolde assente^ 

That he sholde telle hym what his peple mente. 

Or elles koude he shewe wel swich mateere^ 90 

He to the markj^s seyde as ye shul heere : 

"O noble Markys^ youre humanitee 

Asseureth us^ and yeveth us hardinesse^ 

As ofte as tyme is of necessitee 

That we to yow mowe telle oure hevynesse. 95 

Accepteth^ lord^ now for youre gentillesse 

That we with pitous herte unto yow pleyne^ 

And lat youre eres nat my voys desdeyne^ 

Al have I noght to doone in this mateere 

Moore than another man hath in this place; 100 

Yet for as muche as je, my lord so deere^ 

Han alwey shewed me favour and grace^ 

I dar the bettre aske of yow a space 

Of audience to shewen oure requeste^ 

And ye, my lord^ to doon right as yow leste. 105 

For certes^ lord^ so wel us liketh yow 

And al youre werk^ and evere han doon that we 

Ne koude nat us-self devysen how 

We myghte lyven in moore f elicitee_, 

Save o thyng^ lord^ if it youre wille be^ 110 

That for to been a wedded man yow leste^ 

Thanne were youre peple in sovereyn hertes reste. 

Boweth youre nekke under that blisful yok 

Of soveraynetee^ noght of servyse^ 

Which that men clepeth spousaille or wedlok; 115 

93 and yeveth to yeve. 110 it om. 



THE CLERKES TALE 279 

And thenketh^ lord^ among youre thoghtes wyse 
How that oiire dayes passe in sondry wyse^ 
For thogli we slepe^ or wake^ or rome^ or ryde. 
Ay fleeth the tyme^ it nyl no man abyde. 

And thogh youre grene youthe floure as yit^ 120 

In crepeth age alwey^ as stille as stoon^ 

And deeth manaceth every age^ and smyt 

In ech estaat^ for ther escapeth noon; 

And al so certein as we knowe echoon 

That we shul deye^ as uncerteyn we alle 125 

Been of that day^ whan deeth shal on us falle. 

Accepteth thanne of us the trewe entente 

That nevere yet refuseden thyn heeste; 

And we wol^ lord^ if that ye wole assente^ 

Chese yow a wyf in short tyme atte leeste^ 1 30 

Born of the gentilleste and of the meeste 

Of al this land_, so that it oghte seme^ 

Honour to God and yow^ as we kan deeme. 

Delivere us out of al this bisy drede^ 

And taak a wyf for hye Goddes sake^ 135 

For if it so bifelle^ as God forbede^ 

That thurgh your deeth your lyne sholde slake^ 

And that a straunge successour sholde take 

Youre heritage_, o wo were us alyve ! 

Wherfore we pray you hastily to wyve.'' 140 

Hir meeke ^Dreyere and hir pitous cheere 

Made the markys herte han pitee. 

**Ye wol/' quod he_, *'myn owene peple deere^ 

To that I nevere erst thoughte^ streyne me. 

I me rejoysed of my liberte^ 145 

That seelde tyme is founde in mariage. 

Ther I was free_, I moot been in servage. 



280 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

But nathelees I se youre trewe entente^ 

And truste upon youre wit^ and have doon ay ; 

Wherfore of my free wyl I wole assente 150 

To wedde me^ as soone as evere I may. 

But ther as ye han profred me this day 

To chese me a wyf^ I yow relesse 

That choys^ and prey yow of that profre eesse. 

For God it woot^ that children ofte been 155 

Unlyk hir worthy eldres hem bifore. 

Bountee comth al of God^ nat of the streen_, 

Of which they been engendred and ybore. 

I truste in Goddes bontee; and therfore 

My mariage^ and myn estaat and reste^ 160 

I hym bitake^ he may doon as hym leste. 

Lat me allone in chesynge of my wyf^ 

That charge upon my bak I wole endure ; 

But I yow preye^ and charge up on youre lyf 

That what wyf that I take^ ye me assure l65 

To worshipe hir. whil that hir lyf may dure^ 

In word and werk^ bothe heere and everywheere^ 

As she an emperoures doghter weere. 

And forthermoore^ this shal ye swere^ that ye 

Agayn my choys shul neither grucche ne stryve^ 170 

For sith I shal forgoon my libertee 

At youre requeste^ as evere moot I thryve^ 

Ther as myn herte is set^ ther wol I.wyve ! 

And but ye wole assente in this manere^ 

I prey yow_, speketh namoore of this matere/' 175 

With hertely wyl they sworen and assenten 
To al this thyng^ ther seyde no wight nay^ 
Bisekynge hym of grace er that they wenten^ 

154 yow om. 165 That om. 



THE CLERKES TALE 281 

That he wolde graunten hem a certein day 

Of his spousaille, as soone as evere he may^ 180 

For yet alwey the peple somwhat dredde 

Lest that this markys no wyf wolde wedde. 

He graunted hem a day^ swich as hym leste^ 

On which he wolde be wedded sikerly^ 

And seyde he dide al this at hir requeste; 185 

And they with humble entente^ buxomly^ 

Knelynge upon hir knees ful reverently 

Hym thonken alle^ and thus they han an ende 

Of hir entente,, and hoom agayn they wende. 

And heerupon he to hise offieeres 190 

Comaundeth for the feste to purveye^ 

And to hise privee knyghtes and squieres 

Swich charge yaf^ as hym liste on hem leye. 

And they to his comandement obeye^ 

And ech of hem dooth al his diligence 195 

To doon unto the feeste reverence. 

Explicit prima pars, 
Incipit secunda pars, 

Noght fer fro thilke paleys honurable 
Ther as this markys shoop his mariage^ 
Ther stood a throop^ of site delitable^ 

In which that povre folk of that village 200 

Hadden hir beestes and hir herbergage^ 
And of hir labour tooke hir sustenance^ 
After that the erthe yaf hem habundance. 

Amonges thise povre folk ther dwelte a man 

Which that was holden povrest of hem alle; 205 

(But hye God somtyme senden kan 

His grace into a litel oxes stalle) 



282 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Janicula men of that throop hym calle. 

A doghter hadde he^ fair ynogh to sighte^ 

And Grisildis this yonge may den highte. 210 

But for to speke of vertuous beautee^ 

Thanne was she oon the faireste under sonne^ 

For povreliche yfostred up was she^ 

No likerous lust was thurgh hir herte yronne. 

Wei ofter of the welle than of the tonne 215 

She drank^ and for she wolde vertu plese 

She knew wel labour but noon ydel ese. 

But thogh this mayde tendre were of age^ 

Yet in the brest of hire virginitee 

Ther was enclosed rype and sad corage; 220 

And in greet reverence and charitee 

Hir olde povre fader fostred shee. 

A fewe sheepe^ spynnynge on feeld she kepte^ 

— She wolde noght been ydel^ til she slepte. 

And whan she homward cam^ she wolde brynge 225 

Wortes^ or othere herbes tymes ofte^ 

The whiche she shredde and seeth for hir lyvynge, 

And made hir bed ful harde and no thyng softe; 

And ay she kepte hir fadres lyf on lofte 

With everich obeisaunce and diligence 230 

That child may doon to fadres reverence. 

Upon Grisilde^ this povre creature^ 

Ful ofte sithe this markys caste his eje. 

As he on huntyng rood paraventure. 

And whan it fil that he myghte hire espye^ 235 

He noght with wantowne lookyng of folye 

Hise eyen caste on hir^ but in sad wyse^ 

Upon hir chiere he wolde hym ofte avyse^ 

211 bountee. 235 that it. 238 ivolde gan. 



THE CLERKES TALE 283 

Commendynge in his herte hir wommanhede 

And eek hir vertu^ passynge any wight 240 

Of so yong age_, as wel in chiere as dede. 

For thogh the peple hadde no greet insight 

In vertu^ he considered ful right 

Hir bountee_, and disposed that he wolde 

Wedde hir oonly^ if evere he wedde sholde. 245 

The day of weddyng cam_, but no wight kan 
Telle what womman that it sholde be_, 
For which merveille wondred many a man^ 
And seyden^ whan that they were in privetee, 
'*Wol nat oure lord yet leve his vanytee? 250 

Wol he nat wedde ? allas^ allas^ the while ! 
Why wole he thus hymself and us bigile?'' 

But nathelees this markys hath doon make 

Of gemmes set in gold and in asure 

Brooches and rynges_, for Grisildis sake^ 255 

And of hir clothyng took he the mesure^ 

By a mayde lyk to hir stature_, 

And eek of othere ornementes alle 

That unto swich a weddyng sholde falle. 

The time of undren of the same day 260 

Approcheth^ that this weddyng sholde be; 

And al the paleys put was in array^ 

Bothe halle and chambres^ ech in his degree^ 

Houses of office stuffed with plentee 

Ther maystow seen^ of deyntevous vitaille^ 265 

That may be founde as fer as last Ytaille. 

This roial markys^ richely arrayed^ 

Lordes and ladyes in his compaignye^ 

The whiche that to the feeste weren yprayed_, 

258 aornementes. 



284 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

And of his retenue the bachelrye_, 270 

With many a soun of sondry melodye 
Unto the village^ of the which I tolde^ 
In this array the righte wey han holde. 

Grisilde (of this^ God woot_, ful innocent^ 

That for hir shapen was al this array) 275 

To fecchen water at a welle is went^ 

And Cometh hoom as soone as ever she may; 

For wel she hadde herd seyd^ that thilke day 

The markys sholde wedde^ and if she myghte^ 

She wolde fayn han seyn som of that sighte. 280 

She thoghte^ *'I wole with othere maydens stonde^ 

That been my felawes^ in oure dore^ and se 

The markysesse_, and therfore wol I fonde 

To doon at hoom as soone as it may be 

The labour^ which that longeth unto me^ 285 

And thanne I may at leyser hir biholde^ 

If she this wey unto the castel holde/' 

And as she wolde over hir thresshfold gon 

The markys cam and gan hire for to calle^ 

And she set doun hir water pot anon 290 

Biside the thresshfold in an oxes stalle^ 

And doun up-on hir knes she gan to falle^ 

And with sad contenance kneleth stille^ 

Til she had herd what was the lordes will. 

This thoghtful markys spak unto this mayde 295 

Ful sobrely^ and seyde in this manere_, 

''Where is youre fader^ O Grisildis?'' he sayde^ 

And she with reverence in humble cheere 

Answerde^ 'Xord^ he is al redy heere." 

And in she gooth^ withouten lenger lette^ 300 

And to the markys she hir fader fette. 

277 comth. 



THE CLERKES TALE 285 

He by the hand thanne took this olde man^ 

And sej^de thus_, whan he hym hadde asyde^ 

"Janieula^ I neither may ne kan 

Lenger the plesance of myn herte hyde ; 305 

If that thou vouchsauf^ what so bityde^ 

Thy doghter wol I take^ er that I wende^ 

As for my wyf unto hir lyves ende. 

Thou lovest me^ I woot it wel eerteyn^ 

And art my feithful lige man ybore_, 310 

And all that liketh me_, I dar wel seyn^ 

It liketh thee; and specially therfore 

Tel me that poynt that I have seyd bifore^ 

If that thou wolt unto that purpos drawe^ 

To take me as for thy sone-in-lawe." 315 

This sodejm eas this man astonyed so^ 

That reed he wax abayst and al quakyng 

He stood^ unnethes seyde he wordes nao^ 

But oonly thus^ ''Lord/' quod he^ *'my willynge 

Is as ye wole^ ne ayeyns youre likynge 320 

I wol no thyng^ ye be my lord so deere ; 

Right as yow lust governeth this mateere/' 

''Yet wol I," quod this markys softely^ 

"That in thy chambre I and thou and she 

Have a collacioun_, and wostow why? S25 

For I wol axe^ if it hir wille be 

To be my wyf^ and reule hir after me; 

And al this shal be doon in thy presence^ 

I wol noght speke out of thyn audience." 

And in the chambre whil they were aboute 330 

Hir tretys which as ye shal after heere^ 
The peple cam unto the hous withoute^ 
And wondred hem in how honeste manere 



286 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

And tentifly she kepte hir fader deere. 

But outrely Grisildis wondre myghte 335 

For nevere erst ne saugli she swich a sighte. 

No wonder is thogh that she were astoned 

To seen so greet a gest come in that place ; 

She nevere was to swiche gestes woned^ 

For which she looked with ful pale face — 340 

But shortly forth this tale for to chace_, 

Thise arn the wordes that the markys sayde 

To this benigne verray feithful mayde. 

^'Grisilde/' he seyde^ ''ye shal wel understonde 

It liketh to youre fader and to me 345 

That I yow wedde^ and eek it may so stonde^ 

As^ I suppose^ ye wol that it so be. 

But thise demandes axe I first/' quod he^ 

^'That sith it shal be doon in hastif wyse^ 

Wol ye assente_, or elles yow avyse? 350 

I seye this^ be ye redy with good herte 

To al my lust_, and that I frely may_, 

As me best thynketh_, do yow laughe or smerte^ 

And nevere ye to grucche it nyght ne day^ 

And eek whan I sey ye, ne sey nat nay^ 35 5 

Neither by word^ ne frownyng contenance? 

Swere this^ and heere I swere yow alliance/' 

Wondrynge upon this word^ quakynge for drede^ 

She seyde^ *'Lord^ undigne and unworthy 

Am I to thilke honour^ that ye me beede^ 360 

But as ye wole yourself_, right so wol I. 

And heere I swere^ that nevere willyngly 

In werk ne thoght I nyl yow disobeye^ 

For to be deed^ though me were looth to deye." 



THE CLERKES TALE 287 

"This is ynogh^ Grisilde myn/' quod he^ 365 

And forth he gooth with a ful sobre cheere 

Out at the dore^ and after that cam she; 

And to the peple he seyde in this manere^, 

''This is my wyf_," quod he^ "that standeth heere ; 

Honour eth hir_, and loveth hir^ I preye_, 370 

Whoso me loveth ; ther is namoore to seye/' 

And for that nothyng of hir olde geere 

She sholde brynge into his hous, he bad 

That wommen sholde dispoillen hir right theere ; — 

Of which thise ladyes were nat right glad 375 

To handle hir clothes, wherinne she was clad — 

But nathelees^ this mayde bright of hewe 

Fro foot to heed thej^ clothed han al newe. 

Hir heris han they kembd_, that lay untressed 

Ful rudely^ and with hir fyngres smale 380 

A corone on hir heed they han ydressed^ 

And sette hir ful of nowches grete and smale. 

Of hir array what sholde I make a tale ? 

Unnethe the peple hire knew for hir fairnesse 

Whan she translated was in swich richesse. 385 

This markys hath hir spoused with a ryng 

Broght for the same cause, and thanne hir sette 

Upon an hors, snow-whit and wel amblyng, 

And to his paleys, er he lenger lette, 

With joyful peple that hir ladde and mette 390 

Convoyed hir; and thus the day they spende 

In revel, til the sonne gan descende. 

And shortly forth this tale for to chace, 

I seye, that to this newe markysesse 

God hath swich favour sent hir of his grace, 395 

That it ne semed nat by liklynesse 



288 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

That she was born and fed in rudenesse 
As in a cote or in an oxe-stalle^ 
But norissed in an emperoures halle. 

To every wight she woxen is so deere 400 

And worshipful^ that folk ther she was bore 

And from hir birthe knewe hir yeer by yeere^ 

Unnethe trowed they^ but dorste han swore 

That she to Janicle^ of which I spak bifore_, 

She doghter nere^ for as by conjecture^ 405 

Hem thoughte she was another creature. 

For though that evere vertuous was she^ 

She was encressed in swich excellence^ 

Of thewes goode^ yset in heigh bountee^ 

And so discreet and fair of eloquence^ 410 

So benigne^ and so digne of reverence^ 

And koude so the peples herte embrace^, 

That ech hir lovede^ that looked on hir face. 

Noght oonly of Saluces in the toun 

Publiced was the bountee of hir name^ 415 

But eek biside in many a regioun^ 

If oon seide wel^ another seyde the same; 

So spradde of hir heighe bountee the fame 

That men and wommen^ as wel yonge as olde^ 

Goon to Saluce upon hir to biholde. 420 

Thus Walter lowely^ nay ! but roially 

Wedded with f ortunat honestetee^ 

In Goddes pees lyveth ful esily 

At hoom^ and outward grace ynogh had he^ 

And for he saugh that under low degree 425 

Was ofte vertu hid^ the peple hym heelde 

A prudent man_, and that is seyn ful seelde. 

405 were. 415 beaute. 418 fame name. 425 low heigh. 426 ofte om. 



THE CLERKES TALE 289 

Nat oonly this Grisildis thurgh hir wit 

Koude al the feet of wyfly humblenesse^ 

But eek^ whan that the cas required it^ 430 

The commune profit koude she redresse. 

Ther nas discord^ rancour^ ne hevynesse 

In al that land^ that she ne koude apese_, 

And wisely brynge hem alle in reste and ese. 

Though that hir housbonde absent were anon 4!35 

If gentil men^ or othere of hir contree 

Were wrothe^ she wolde bryngen hem aton. 

So wise and rype wordes hadde she_, 

And juggementz of so greet equitee^ 

That she from hevene sent was^ as men wende^ 440 

Peple to save and every wrong tamende. 

Nat longe tyme after that this Grisild 

Was wedded^ she a doghter hath ybore — 

Al had hir levere have born a man child; 

Glad was this markys and the folk therfore^ 445 

For though a mayde child coome al bifore_, 

She may unto a knave child atteyne 

By liklihede^ syn she nys nat bareyne. 

Explicit secunda pars. 

Incipit tercia pars, 

Ther fil^ as it bif alleth tymes mo_, 
Whan that this child had souked but a throwe^ 450 

This markys in his herte longeth so 
To tempte his wyf_, hir sadnesse for to knowe. 
That he ne myghte out of his herte throwe 
This merveillous desir his wyf tassaye. 
Nedelees, God woot^ he thoghte hir for taffraye. 455 

He hadde assayed hir ynogh bifore^ 
And foond hir evere good; what neded it 



290 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Hir for to tempte and alwe}^ moore and moore? 

Though som men preise it for a subtil wit^ 

But as for me^ I seye that yvele it sit 460 

To assaye a wyf^ whan that it is no nede^ 

And putten hir in angwjrssh and in drede. 

For which this markys wroghte in this manere; 

He cam allone a nyght^ ther as she lay^ 

With stierne face and with ful trouble cheere^ 4!65 

And seyde thus^ ''Grisilde/' quod he^ ''that day 

That I yow took out of your povere array^ 

And putte yow in estaat of heigh noblesse^ 

Ye have nat that forgeten^ as I gesse. 

I seye^ Grisilde^ this present dignitee 470 

In which that I have put yow_, as I trowe 

Maketh yow nat foryetful for to be 

That I yow took in povre estaat ful lowe 

For any wele ye moot youreselven knowe. 

Taak heede of every word that y yow seye^ 475 

Ther is no wight that hereth it but we tweye. 

Ye woot yourself wel how that ye cam heere 

Into this hous^ it is nat longe ago. 

And though to me that ye be lief and deere. 

Unto my gentils ye be no thyng so. 480 

They seyn^ to hem it is greet shame and wo 

For to be subgetz^ and to been in servage^ 

To thee that born art of a smal village. 

And namely^ sith thy doghter was ybore^ 

Thise wordes han they spoken^ doutelees ; 485 

But I desire^ as I have doon bifore^ 

To lyve my lyf with hem in reste and pees. 

I may nat in this caas be recchelees_, 

I moot doon with thy doghter for the beste^ 

Nat as I wolde^ but as my peple leste. 490 



« 



THE CLERKES TALE 291 

And yet God woot^ this is ful looth to me ! 

But nathelees^ withoute youre wityng 

I wol nat doon^ but this wol I/* quod he^ 

"That ye to me assente as in this thyng. 

Shewe now youre pacience in youre werkyng^ 495 

That ye me highte and swore in youre village^ 

That day that maked was oure mariage." 

Whan she had herd al this^ she noght ameved 

Neither in word^ or chiere^ or countenaunce ; 

For as it semed she was nat agreved. 500 

She seyde^ ''Lord_, al lyth in youre plesaunee^ 

My child^ and 1, with hertely obeisaunce 

Been youres al^ and ye mowe save and spille 

Your owene thyng^ werketh after youre wille. 

Ther may no thyng^ God so my soule save_, 505 

Liken to yow^ that may displese me^ 

Ne I ne desire no thyng for to have^ 

Ne drede for to leese save oonly yee; 

This wyl is in myn herte^ and ay shal be; 

No lengthe of tyme or deeth may this deface, 510 

Ne chaunge my corage to another place/' 

Glad was this markys of hir answeryng^ 

But yet he feyned as he were nat so. 

Al drery was his cheere and his lookyng_, 

Whan that he sholde out of the chambre go. 515 

Soone after this^ a furlong wey or two, 

He prively hath toold al his entente 

Unto a man, and to his wyf hym sente. 

A maner sergeant was this privee man. 

The which that feithful ofte he founden hadde 520 

In thynges grete, and eek swich folk wel kan 

Doon execucioun on thynges badde. 



292 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

The lord knew wel that he hym loved and dradde ; — 

And whan this sergeant wiste the lordes wille^ 

Into the chambre he stalked hym ful stille. 525 

"Madame^" he seyde^ *'ye moote foryeve it me 

Though I do thyng to which I am constreyned^ 

Ye been so wys^ that ful wel knowe ye 

That lordes heestes mowe nat been yf eyned^ 

They mowe wel been biwailled and compleyned, 530 

But men moote nede unto hir lust obeye; 

And so wol I^ ther is namoore to seye. 

This child I am comanded for to take." 

And spak namoore^ but out the child he hente 

Despitously^ and gan a cheer e make 535 

As though he wolde han slayn it er he wente. 

Grisildis moot al suffren and censente^ 

And as a lamb she sitteth meke and stille^ 

And leet this crueel sergeant doon his wille. 

Suspecious was the difPame of this man^ 540 

Suspect his face^ suspect his word also^ 

Suspect the tyme in which he this bigan. 

Allas^ hir doghter that she loved so ! 

She wende he wolde han slaw en it right tho ; 

But nathelees she neither weep ne syked^ 545 

Consentynge hir to that the markys lyked. 

But atte laste speken she bigan^ 

And mekely she to the sergeant preyde^ 

So as he was a worthy gentil man^ 

That she moste kisse hire child^ er that it deyde^ 550 

And in hir barm this litel child she leyde^ 

With ful sad face^ and gan the child to kisse^ 

And lulled it^ and after gan it blisse. 

547 to speken. 



THE CLERKES TALE 293 

And thus she seyde in hir benigne voys^ 

"Fareweel^ my child^ I shal thee nevere see^ 555 

But sith I thee have marked with the croys 

Of thilke fader blessed moote thou be^ 

That for us deyde upon a croys of tree. 

Thy soule^ litel child^ I hym bitake^ 

For this nyght shaltow dyen for my sake/' 560 

I trowe_, that to a norice in this cas 

It had been hard this reuthe for to se; 

Wei myghte a mooder thanne han cryd *allas !' 

But nathelees so sad and stidefast was she^ 

That she endured al adversitee^ 565 

And to the sergeant mekely she sayde^ 

"Have heer agayn your litel yonge mayde." 

*'Gooth now/' quod she^ "and dooth my lordes heeste; 

But o thyng wol I prey yow of youre grace^ 

That^ but my lord forbad yow atte leeste^ 570 

Burieth this litel body in som place 

That beestes ne no briddes it torace." 

But he no word wol to that purpos seye^ 

But took the child^ and wente upon his weye. 

This sergeant cam unto his lord ageyn^ 575 

And of Grisildis wordes and hir cheere 

He tolde hym point for pointy in short and pleyn^ 

And hym presenteth with his doghter deere. 

Somwhat this lord hath routhe in his manere^ 

But nathelees his purpos heeld he stille^ 580 

As lordes doon whan they wol han hir wille. 

And bad his sergeant^ that he pryvely 
Sholde this child ful softe wynde and wrappe^ 
With alle circumstances tendrely^ 

557 thou he. 583 ful om. 



294 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

And carie it in a cofre or in a lappe^ 585 

But upon peyne his heed of for to swappe 
That no man sholde knowe of his entente^ 
Ne whenne he eam^ ne whider that he wente. 

Bub at Boloigne to his suster deere_, 

That thilke tyme of Panik was Countesse^ 590 

He sholde it take^ and shewe hir this mateere^ 

Bisekynge hir to doon hir bisynesse 

This child to fostre in alle gentillesse^ 

And whos child that it was^ he bad hire hyde 

From every wight^ for oght that may bityde. 595 

The sergeant gooth^ and hath fulfild this thyng^ 

But to this markys now retourne we^ 

For now gooth he ful faste ymaginyng^ 

If by his wyves cheere he myghte se 

Or by hir word aperceyve that she 600 

Were chaunged^ but he nevere hir koude fynde^ 

But evere in oon ylike sad and kynde. 

As glad^ as humble^ as bisy in servyse^ 

And eek in love^ as she was wont to be^ 

Was she to hym in every maner wyse^ 605 

Ne of hir doghter noght a word spak she. 

Noon accident for noon adversitee 

Was seyn in hir^ ne nevere hir doghter name 

Ne nempned she^ in ernest nor in game. 

. Explicit tercia pars, 
Sequitur pars quarta. 

In this estaat ther passed been foure yeer 610 

Er she with childe was ; but as God wolde_, 
A knave child she bar by this Walter^ 

588 he cam om. 590 Pavik. 594 hire hyin. 612 knave man. 



THE CLERKES TALE 295 

Ful gracious and fair for to biholde. 

And whan that folk it to his fader tolde^ 

Nat oonly he^ but al his contree^ merye 6l5 

Was for this child^ and God they thanke and herye. 

Whan it was two yeer old^ and fro the brest 

Departed of his norice^ on a day 

This markys caughte yet another lest 

To tempte his wyf yet ofter if he may. 620 

O^ nedelees was she tempted in assay ! 

But wedded men ne knowe no mesure^ 

Whan that they fynde a paeient creature. 

"Wyf/' quod this markys_, "ye han herd er this 

My peple sikly berth oure mariage; 625 

And namely sith my sone yboren is^ 

Now is it worse than evere in al oure age. 

The murmure sleeth myn herte and my corage^ 

For to myne eres comth the voys so smerte^ 

That it wel ny destroyed hath myn herte. 630 

Now sey they thus^ Vhan Walter is agon^ 

Thanne shal the blood of Janicle succede^ 

And been oure lord^ for oother have we noon.' 

Swiche wordes seith my peple^ out of drede^ 

Wel oughte I of swich murmur taken heede_, 635 

For certeinly I drede swich sentence^ 

Though they nat pleyn speke in myn audience. 

I wolde lyve in pees^ if that I myghte; 

Wherfore I am disposed outrely 

As I his suster servede by nyghte^ 640 

Right so thenke I to serve hym pryvely. 

This warne I yow_, that ye nat sodeynly 

Out of youreself for no wo sholde outreye. 

Beth pacient_, and therof I yow preye.'' 

626 yborn. 640 served. 



% 



296 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

*'I have/' quod she^ ''seyd thus^ and evere shal^ 64f5 

I wol no thjng, ne nyl no thyng^ certayn^ 

But as yow list^ naught greveth me at al 

Though that my doughter and my sone be slayn — 

At youre comandement^ this is to sayn — 

I have noght had no part of children tweyne 650 

But first siknesse^ and after wo and peyne. 

Ye been oure lord^ dooth with your owene thyng 

Right as yow list^ axeth no reed at me ; 

For as I lefte at hoom al my elothyng^ i 

Whan I first cam to yow^ right so/' quod she^ 655 

"Lefte I my wyl and al my libertee^ 

And took youre clothyng^ wherfore I yow preye, 

Dooth youre plesaunce; I wol youre lust obeye. 

And certes^ if I hadde prescience 

Youre wyl to knowe^ er ye youre lust me tolde^ 660 

I wolde it doon withouten necligence. 

But now I woot your lust and what ye wolde^ 

Al your plesance f erme and stable I holde_, 

For wiste I that my deeth wolde do yow ese^ 

Right gladly wolde I dyen yow to plese. 665 

Deth may noght make no comparisoun 

Unto youre love !'' and whan this markys say 

The Constance of his wyf^ he caste adoun 

Hise eyen two^ and wondreth that she may 

In pacience 3uffre al this array; 670 

And forth he goth with drery contenance^ 

But to his herte it was ful greet plesance. 

This ugly sergeant^ in the same wyse 

That he hir doghter caughte^ right so he 

Or worse_, if men worse kan devyse^ 675 

Hath hent hir sone^ that ful was of beautee^ 



m 



THE CLERKES TALE 297 

And evere in oon so pacient was she, 
That she no chiere maade of hevynesse, 
But kiste hir sone, and after gan it blesse. 

Save this, she preyde hym, that if he myghte, 680 

Hir litel sone he wolde in erthe grave 

His tendre lymes, delicaat to sighte. 

Fro foweles and fro beestes for to save. 

But she noon answere of hym myghte have. 

He wente his wey, as hym nothyng ne roghte, 685 

But to Boloigne he tendrely it broght. 

This markys wondred evere lenger the moore 

Upon hir pacienee, and if that he 

Ne hadde soothly knowen therbifoore 

That parfitly hir children loved she, 690 

He wolde have wend that of som subtiltee. 

And of malice, or for crueel corage. 

That she hadde suffred this with sad visage. 

But wel he knew that next hymself, certayn. 

She loved hir children best in every wyse; 695 

But now of wommen wolde I axen fayn. 

If thise assayes myghte nat sufBse, 

What koude a sturdy housbonde moore devyse 

To preeve hire wyfhod or hir stedefastnesse. 

And he continuynge evere in sturdinesse? 700 

But ther been folk of swich condicioun. 

That whan they have a certein purpos take 

They kan nat stynte of hir entencioun, 

But right as they were bounden to that stake 

They wol nat of that firste purpos slake. 705 

Right so this markys fuUiche hath purposed 

To tempte his wyf, as he was first disposed. 



298 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

He waiteth^ if by word or contenance 

That she to hym was changed of corage; 

But nevere koude he fynde variance^ 710 

She was ay oon in herte and in visage. 

And ay the f orther that she was in age^ 

The moore trewe — if that it were possible — 

She was to hym in love^ and moore penyble. 

For which it semed thus^ that of hem two 715 

Ther nas but o wyl ; f or^ as Walter leste^ 

The same lust was hir plesance also^ 

And^ God be thanked^ al fil for the beste. 

She shewed wel^ for no worldly unreste 

A wyf as of hirself no thing ne sholde 720 

Wille in effect^ but as hir housbonde wolde. 

The sclaundre of Walter ofte and wyde spradde, 

That of a crueel herte he wikkedly^ 

For he a povre womman wedded hadde^ 

Hath mordred bothe his children prively. — 725 

Swich murmur e was among hem comunly; 

No wonder is^ for to the peples ere 

Ther cam no word^ but that they mordred were. 

For which^ wher as his peple therbifore 

Hadde loved hym wel^ the sclaundre of his diiFame 730 

Made hem_, that they hym hatede therfore^ 

To been a mordrere is an hateful name; 

But nathelees^ for ernest ne for game 

He of his crueel purpos nolde stente: 

To tempte his wyf was set al his entente. 735 

Whan that his doghter twelf yeer was of age^ 
He to the court of Rome in subtil wyse 
Enformed of his wyl sente his message^ 

731 hated. 



I 



I 




THE CLERKES TALE 299 



Comaundynge hem swiche bulles to devyse 

As to his crueel purpos may suiFyse^ 740 

How that the pope as for his peples reste 

Bad hym to wedde another_, if hym leste. 

I seye^ he bad they sholde countrefete 

The popes bulles^ makynge mencioun 

That he hath leve his firste wyf to lete 745 

As by the popes dispensacioun^ 

To stynte rancour and dissencioun 

Bitwixe his peple and hym^ thus seyde the buUe. 

The which they han publiced atte fuUe. 

The rude peple^ as it no wonder is^ 750 

Wenden ful wel that it hadde be right so; 

But whan thise tidynges cam to Grisildis_, 

I deeme that hir herte was ful wo. 

But she^ ylike sad for everemo^ 

Disposed was_, this humble creature^ 755 

The adversitee of Fortune al tendure^ 

Abidynge evere his lust and his plesance 

To whom that she was yeven^ herte and al^ 

As to hir verray worldly suffisance. 

But shortly^ if this storie I tellen shal^ 760 

This markys writen hath in special 

A lettre^ in which he sheweth his entente^ 

And secreely he to Boloigne it sente; 

To the Erl of Panyk^ which that hadde tho 

Wedded his suster^ preyde he specially 765 

To bryngen hoom agayn hise children two^ 

In honurable estaat al openly; 

But o thyng he hym preyede outrely^ 

That he to no wight^ though men wolde enquere^ 

Sholde nat telle whos children that they were^ 770 

768 preyde. 



300 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

But seye,, the mayden sholde ywedded be 

Unto the Markys of Saluce anon. 

And as this Erl was preyed^ so dide he; 

For at day set he on his wey is goon 

Toward Saluce^ and lordes many oon^ 775 

In riche array this mayden for to gyde^ 

Hir yonge brother ridynge hir bisyde. 

Arrayed was toward hir mariage 

This fresshe mayde^ ful of gemmes cleere; 

Hir brother^ which that seven yeer was of age^ 780 

Arrayed eek ful fressh in his manere. 

And thus in greet noblesse^ and with glad cheere^ 

Toward Saluces shapynge hir journey^ 

Fro day to day they ryden in hir wey. 

Explicit quarta pars. 
Sequitur pars quinta. 

Among al this^ after his wikke usage^ 785 

This markys yet his wyf to tempte moore 

To the outtreste preeve of hir eorage^ 

Fully to han experience and loore^ 

If that she were as stidefast as bifoore_, 

He on a day in open audience 790 

Ful boistously hath seyd hir this sentence. 

*'Certes. Grisilde^ I hadde ynogh plesance^ 

To han yow to my wyf for your goodnesse^ 

As for youre trouthe^ and for your obeisance — 

Noght for youre lynage^ ne for youre richesse; 795 

But now knowe I^ in verray soothfastnesse^ 

That in greet lordshipe^ if I wel avyse^ 

Ther is greet servitute in sondry wyse. 

773 preyd. 



THE CLERKES TALE 301 

I may nat doon as every plowman may; 

My peple me constreyneth for to take 800 

Another wyf^ and crien day by day^ 

And eek the pope^ rancour for to slake^ 

Consenteth it^ that dar I undertake — 

And treweliche thus muche I wol yow seye^ 

My newe wyf is comynge by the weye. 805 

Be strong of herte_, and voyde anon hir place^ 

And thilke dower that ye broghten me 

Taak it agayn^ I graunte it of my grace. 

Retourneth to youre fadres hous_,'' quod he; 

"No man may alwey han prosperitee. 810 

With evene herte I rede yow tendure 

This strook of Fortune or of aventure." 

And she answerde agayn in pacience_, 

*'My lord^" quod she^ "I woot and wiste alway 

How that bitwixen youre magnificence 815 

And my poverte^ no wight kan ne may 

Maken comparisoun^ it is no nay. 

I ne heeld me nevere digne in no manere 

To be your wyf_, no^ ne youre chamberere. 

And in this hous ther ye me lady maade^ 820 

The heighe God take I for my witnesse^ 

And also wysly he my soule glaade^ 

I nevere heeld me lady ne maistresse^ 

But humble servant to youre worthynesse^ 

And evere shal whil that my lyf may dure 825 

Aboven every worldly creature. 

That ye so longe of youre benignitee 
Han holden me in honour and nobleye^ 
Wher as I was noght worthy for to bee^ 

819 chambrere. 829 for to om. 



302 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

That thonke I God and yow^ to whom I preye 830 

Foryelde it yow ; ther is namoore to seye. 
Unto my fader gladly wol I wende^ 
And with hym dwelle unto my lyves ende. 

Ther I was fostred of a child ful smal. 

Til I be deed^ my lyf ther wol I lede^ 835 

A wydwe clene in body^ herte^ and al^ 

For sith I yaf to yow my maydenhede 

And am youre trewe wyf^ it is no drede^ 

God shilde swich a lordes wyf to take 

Another man_, to housbonde or to make. 840 

And of youre newe wyf^ God of his grace 

So graunte yow wele and prosperitee^ 

For I wol gladly yelden hir my place 

In which that I was blisful wont to bee. 

For sith it liketh yow my lord^'' quod shee^ 845 

''That whilom weren al myn hertes reste_, 

That I shal goon, I wol goon whan yow leste. 

But ther as ye me profre swich dowaire 

As I first broghte, it is wel in my mynde 

It were my wrecched clothes, no thyng faire, 850 

The whiche to me were hard now for to fynde. 

O goode God ! how gentil and how kynde 

Ye semed by youre speche and youre visage 

The day that maked was oure mariage ! 

But sooth is seyd, algate I fynde it trewe, 855 

(For in effect it preeved is on me) 

Love is noght oold, as whan that it is newe. 

But certes, lord, for noon adversitee. 

To dyen in the cas it shal nat bee 

That evere in word or werk I shal repente 860 

That I yow yaf myn herte in hool entente. 



THE CLERKES TALE SOS 

My lord^ ye woot that in my fadres place 

Ye dide me streepe out of my povre weede^ 

And richely me eladden of youre grace. 

To yow broghte I noght elles^ out of drede^ 865 

But feith^ and nakednesse^ and maydenhede. 

And heere agayn my clothyng I restoore^ 

And eek my weddyng ryng for everemo. 

The remenant of youre jueles redy be 

In-with youre chambre^ dar I saufly sayn. 870 

Naked out of my fadres hous^'' quod she_, 

**I cam^ and naked moot I turne agayn. 

Al your plesance wol I folwen fayn^ 

But yet I hope it be nat your entente 

That I smoklees out of your paleys wente. 875 

Ye koude nat doon so dishoneste a thyng^ 

That thilke wombe in which your children leye^ 

Sholde biforn the peple in my walkyng 

Be seyn al bare; wherfore I yow preye^ 

Lat me nat lyk a worm go by the weye ! 880 

Remembre yow^ myn owene lord so deere^ 

I was your wyf^ though I unworthy weere. 

Wherfore^ in gerdoun of my maydenhede 

Which that I broghte^ and noght agayn I bere^ 

As voucheth sauf to yeve me to my meede 885 

But swich a smok as I was wont to were, 

That I therwith may wrye the wombe of here 

That was your wyf^ and heer take I my leeve 

Of yow, myn owene lord, lest I yow greve.'' 

"The smok/' quod he, "that thou hast on thy bak, 890 

Lat it be stille, and here it forth with thee." 
But wel unnethes thilke word he spak. 
But wente his wey for routhe and for pitee. 



S04 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Biforn the folk hirselven strepeth she, 

And in hir smok, with heed and foot al bare, 895 

Toward hir fader hous forth is she fare. 

The folk hir folwe, wepynge in hir weye, 

And Fortune ay they eursen, as they goon. 

But she fro wepyng kepte hir eyen dreye, 

Ne in this tyme word ne spak she noon. 900 

Hir fader, that this tidynge herde anoon, 

Curseth the day and tyme that nature 

Shoop hym to been a lyves creature. 

For out of doute this olde povre man 

Was evere in suspect of hir mariage, 905 

For evere he demed, sith that it bigan, 

That whan the lord fulfild hadde his corage, 

Hym wolde thynke it were a disparage 

To his estaat, so lowe for talighte, 

And voyden hir as soone as ever he myghte. 910 

Agayns his doghter hastiliche goth he. 

For he by noyse of folk knew hir comynge. 

And with hir olde coote, as it myghte be, 

He covered hir, ful sorwefuUy wepynge. 

But on hir body myghte he it nat brynge. 915 

For rude was the clooth, and moore of age 

By dayes fele, than at hir mariage. 

Thus with hir fader for a certeyn space 

Dwelleth this flour of wyfly pacience. 

That neither by hir wordes ne hir face, 920 

Biforn the folk ne eek in hir absence, 

Ne shewed she that hir was doon offence, 

Ne of hir heighe estaat no remembraunce 

Ne hadde she, as by hir contenaunce. 

916 and she. 



THE CLERKES TALE 305 

No wonder is^ for in hir grete estaat 925 

Hir goost was evere in pleyn humylitee. 

No tendre mouthy noon lierte delicaat^ 

No pompe_, no semblant of roialtee^ 

But ful of pacient benyngnytee^ 

Discreet and pridelees^ ay honurable^ 930 

And to hir housbonde evere meke and stable. 

Men speke of Job^ and moost for his humblesse^ 

As clerkes whan hem list konne wel endite^ 

Namely of men ; but as in soothf astnesse^ 

Though clerkes preise wommen but a lite^ 9^5 

Ther kan no man in humblesse hym acquite^ 

As womman kan^ ne kan been half so trewe 

As wommen been^ but it be falle of newe. 



[Pars seojta.'j 

Fro Boloigne is this Erl of Panyk come^ 

Of which the fame up sprang to moore and lesse^ 9^0 

And in the peples eres^ alle and some^ 

Was kouth eek that a newe markysesse 

He with hym broghte^ in swich pompe and richesse_, 

That nevere was ther seyn with mannes eye 

So noble array in al Westlumbardye. 9^5 

The markys^ which that shoop and knew al this^ 

Er that thise Erl was come_, sente his message 

For thilke sely povre Grisildis; 

And she with humble herte and glad visage^ 

Nat with no swollen thoght in hire corage 950 

Cam at his heste^ and on hir knees hire sette^ 

And reverently and wisely she hym grette. 

937 kan (2) om. 



306 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

"Grisilde^'' quod he^ ''my wyl is outrely 

This mayden_, that shal wedded been to me^ 

Received be to morwe as roially 955 

As it possible is in myn hous to be; 

And eek that every wight in his degree 

Have his estaat in sittyng and servyse 

And heigh plesaunee^ as I kan best devyse. 

I have no wommen^ suffisaunt^ eertayn^ 960 

The chambres for tarraye in ordinaunce 

After my lust^ and therfore wolde I fayn 

That thyn were al swich manere governaunce; 

Thou knowest eek of old al my plesaunce^ 

Thogh thyn array be badde and yvel biseye^ 965 

Do thou thy devoir at the leeste weye/' 

"Nat oonly lord^ that I am glad/' quod she^ 

''To doon your lust_, but I desire also 

Yow for to serve and plese in my degree 

With outen feyntyng^ and shal everemo. 970 

Ne nevere_, for no wele ne no wo^ 

Ne shal the goost withinne myn herte stente 

To love yow best with al my trewe entente/' 

And with that word she gan the hous to dighte^ 

And tables for to sette^ and beddes make^ 975 

And pej^ned hir to doon al that she myghte^ 

Preyynge the ehambereres for Goddes sake 

To hasten hem^ and faste swepe and shake^ 

And she^ the mooste servysable of alle^ 

Hath every chambre arrayed^ and his halle. 980 

Abouten undren gan this Erl alighte^ 

That with hym broghte thise noble children tweye^ 

For which the peple ran to seen the sighte 

Of hir array^ so richely biseye; 



I 



THE CLERKES TALE 307 

And thanne at erst amonges hem they seye^ 985 

That Walter was no fool^ thogh that hym leste 
To chaunge his wyf^ for it was for the beste. 

"For she is fairer^'' as they deemen alle^ 

"Than is Grisilde^ and moore tendre of age^ 

And fairer fruyt bitwene hem sholde falle^ 990 

And moore plesant for hir heigh lynage/' 

Hir brother eek so faire was of visage_, 

That hem to seen the peple hath caught plesaunce^ 

Commendynge now the markys governaunce. 

O stormy peple^ unsad and evere untrewe ! 995 

Ay undisereet and chaungynge as a vane^ 
Delitynge evere in rumbul that is newe; 
For lyk the moone ay wexe ye and wane^ 
Ay ful of clappyng^ deere ynogh a jane^ 
Youre doom is fals_, youre constanee yvele preeveth_, 1000 
A ful greet fool is he that on yow leeveth ! 

Thus seyden sadde folk in that citee^ 

Whan that the peple gazed up and doun^ 

For they were glad right for the noveltee 

To han a newe lady of hir toun. 1005 

Namoore of this make I now mencioun^ 

But to Grisilde agayn wol I me dresse^ 

And telle hir constanee and hir bisynesse. 

Ful bisy was Grisilde in every thyng 

That to the feeste was apertinent. 1010 

Right noght was she abayst of hir clothyng^ 

Thogh it were rude and somdeel eek torent_, 

But with glad cheere to the yate is went 

With oother folk to greete the markysesse^ 

And after that dooth forth hir bisynesse. 1015 

1013 is she. 



308 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

With so glad chiere hise gestes she receyveth^ 

And konnyngly everich in his degree^ 

That no defaute no man aperceyveth^ 

But ay they wondren what she myghte bee 

That in so povre array was for to see^ 1020 

And koude swich honour and reverence ; 

And worthily they preisen hire prudence. 

In al this meenewhile she ne stente 

This mayde and eek hir brother to commende 

With al hir herte^ in ful benyngne entente^ 1025 

So wel that no man koude hir pris amende^ 

But atte laste^ whan that thise lordes wende 

To sitten doun to mete_, he gan to calle 

Grisilde^ as she was bisy in his halle. 

''Grisilde/' quod he^ as it were in his pley^ 1030 

"How liketh thee my wyf and hir beautee ?" ' 

"Right wel/' quod she^ "my lord, for in good fey 

A fairer saugh I nevere noon than she. 

I prey to God yeve hir prosperitee. 

And so hope I that he wol to yow sende 1035 

Plesance ynogh unto youre lyves ende. 

O thyng biseke I yow, and warne also 

That ye ne prikke with no tormentynge 

This tendre mayden, as ye han doon mo ; 

For she is fostred in hir norissynge 1040 

Moore tendrely, and to my supposynge 

She koude nat adversitee endure, 

As koude a povre fostred creature.'' 

And whan this Walter saugh hir pacience, 

Hir glade chiere, and no malice at al, 1045 

And he so ofte had doon to hir offence 

1017 and so. 1045 glad. 1046 offence om. 



THE CLERKES TALE 309 

And she ay sad and constant as a wal, 

Continuynge evere hir innocence overall 

This sturdy markys gan his herte dresse 

To rewen upon hir wyfly stedfastnesse. 1050 

"This is ynogh^ Grisilde myn/' quod he^ 

"Be now namoore agast^ ne yvele apayed. 

I have thy feith and thy benyngnytee 

As wel as evere womman was^ assayed 

In greet estaat^ and povreliche arrayed; 1055 

Now knowe I^ goode wyf^ thy stedfastnesse I" 

And hir in armes took^ and gan hir kesse. 

And she for wonder took of it no keep. 

She herde nat^ what thyng he to hir seyde. 

She ferde as she had stert out of a sleep^ 1060 

Til she out of hire mazednesse abreyde. 

"Grisilde/' quod he_, "by God that for us deyde, 

Thou art my wyf^ ne noon oother I have^ 

Ne nevere hadde^ as God my soule saVe. 

This is thy doghter which thou hast supposed 1065 

To be my wyf ; that oother feithfuUy 

Shal be myn heir^ as I have ay purposed; 

Thou bare hym in thy body trewely. 

At Boloigne have I kept hem prively. 

Taak hem agayn^ for now maystow nat seye 1070 

That thou hast lorn noon of thy children tweye. 

And folk that ootherweys han seyd of me^ 

I warne hem wel that I have doon this deede 

For no malice^ ne for no crueltee^ 

But for tassaye in thee thy wommanheede^ 1075 

And not to sleen my children^ God f orbeede ! 

But for to kepe hem pryvely and stille^ 

Til I thy purpos knewe and al thy wille/' 

1063 ne om. 1067 supposed. 



310 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Whan she this herde^ aswowne doun she falleth 

For pitous joje, and after hir swownynge 1080 

She bothe hir yonge children unto hir ealleth^ 

And in hir armes pitously wepynge 

Embraceth hem^ and tendrely kissynge 

Ful lyk a mooder^ with hir salte teeres 

She bathed bothe hir visage and hir heeres. 1085 

O^ which a pitous thyng it was to se 

Hir swownynge and hir humble voys to heere ! 

''Grauntmercy^ lord^ that thanke I jow/' quod she^ 

*'That ye han saved me my children deere. 

Now rekke I nevere to been deed right heere. 1090 

Sith I stonde in your love and in your grace^ 

No f ors of deeth_, ne whan my spirit pace ! 

O tendre^ O deere^ O yonge children myne ! 

Your woful mooder wende stedfastly 

That crueel houndes^ or som foul vermyne 1095 

Hadde eten yow ; but God of his mercy 

And youre benyngne fader tendrely 

Hath doon yow kept/' and in that same stounde 

Al sodeynly she swapte adoun to grounde. 

And in hir swough so sadly holdeth she 1100 

Hir children two^ whan she gan hem tembrace^ 

That with greet sleighte and greet difEcultee 

The children from hir arm they gonne arace. 

O many a teere on many a pitous face 

Doun ran^ of hem that stooden hir bisyde; 1105 

Unnethe abouten hir myghte they abyde. 

Walter hir gladeth^ and hir sorwe slaketh^ 

She riseth up abaysed from hir traunce^ 

And every wight hir joye and feeste maketh^ 

Til she hath caught agayn hir contenaunce. 1110 



I 



THE CLERKES TALE 311 

Walter hir dooth so feithfully plesaunce^ 
That it was deyntee for to seen the cheere 
Bitwixe hem two^ now they been met yfeere. 

Thise ladyes^ whan that they hir tyme say^ 

Han taken hir and into chambre gon^ 1115 

And strepen hir out of hir rude array 

And in a clooth of gold that brighte shoon^ 

With a coroune of many a riche stoon 

Upon hir heed^ they into halle hir broghte^ 

And ther she was honured as hir oghte. 1120 

Thus hath this pitous day a blisful ende_, 

For every man and womman dooth his myght 

This day in murthe and revel to dispende^ 

Til on the welkne shoon the sterres lyght. 

For moore solempne in every mannes syght 1125 

This feste was^ and gretter of costage^ 

Than was the revel of hire mariage/ 

Ful many a yeer in heigh prosperitee 
Lyven thise two in concord and in reste. 

And richely his doghter maryed he 1130 

Unto a lord_, oon of the worthieste 
Of al Ytaille_, and thanne in pees and reste 
His wyves fader in his court he kepeth^ 
Til that the soule out of his body crepeth. 

His sone succedeth in his heritage 1135 

In reste and pees^ after his fader day^ 

And fortunat was eek in mariage — 

Al putte he nat his wyf in greet assay; 

This world is nat so strongs it is no nay^ 

As it hath been of olde tymes yoore. 1140 

And herkneth what this auctour seith therfoore. 



312 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

This storie is seyd^ nat for that wyves sholde 

Folwen Grisilde as in humylitee^ 

For it were inportable though they wolde^ 

But for that every wight in his degree 1145 

Sholde be constant in adversitee 

As was Grisilde. Therfore Petrark writeth 

This storie^ which with heigh stile he enditeth. 

For sith a womman was so pacient 

Unto a mortal man^ wel moore us oghte 1150 

Receyven al in gree that God us sent. 

For greet skile is^ he preeve that he wroghte. 

But he ne tempteth no man that he boghte^ 

As seith Seint Jame^ if ye his pistel rede ; 

He preeveth folk al day^ it is no drede^ 1155 

And suiFreth us^ as for oure excercise^ 

With sharpe scourges of adversitee 

Ful ofte to be bete in sondry wise^ 

Nat for to knowe oure wyl, for certes he 

Er we were born knew al oure freletee, 11 60 

And for oure beste is al his governaunce. 

Lat us thanne lyve in vertuous sufFraunce. 

But o word^ lordynges^ herkneth er I go^ 
It were ful hard to f ynde nowadayes 

In al a toun Grisildis thre or two^ 1165 

For if that they were put to swiche assayes^ 
The gold of hem hath now so badde alayes 
With bras/ that thogh the coyne be fair at eye, 
It wolde rather breste atwo than plye. 

For which^ heere for the Wyves love of Bathe. 1170 

Whos lyf and al hir secte God mayntene 
In heigh maistrie^ and elles were it scathe, 

1160 al om. 



THE CLERKES TALE 313 

I wol with lusty herte fressh and grene 

Seyn vow a song^ to glade yow^ I wene^ 

And lat us stynte of ernestful matere. 1175 

Herkneth my song^ that seith in this manere. 



Lenvoy de Chaucer. 

Grisilde is deed^ and eek hir pacience^ 

And bothe atones buryed in Ytaille^ 

For which I crie in open audience 

No wedded man so hardy be tassaille 1180 

His wyves pacience^ in hope to fynde 

Grisildis^ for in certein he shal faille. 

O noble wyves^ ful of heigh prudence^ i 

Lat noon humylitee youre tonge naille^ 

Ne lat no clerk have cause or diligence 1 185 

To write of yow a storie of swich mervaille 

As of Grisildis_, pacient and kynde^ 

Lest Chichivache yow swelwe in hire entraille. 

Folweth Ekko^ that holdeth no silence^ 

But evere answereth at the countretaille ; 1190 

Beth nat bidafPed for youre innocence^ 

But sharply taak on yow the governaille. 

Emprenteth wel this lessoun in youre mynde 

For commune profit_, sith it may availle. 

Ye archiwyves^ stondeth at defense^ 1195 

Syn ye be strong as it a greet camaille. 

Ne sufFreth nat that men yow doon offense^ 

And sklendre wyves^ fieble as in bataille^ 

Beth egre as is a tygre yond in Ynde^ 

Ay clappeth as a mille^ I yow consaille. 1200 



314 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Ne dreed hem nat^ doth hem no reverence^ 

For though thyn housbonde armed be in maille^ 

The arwes of thy crabbed eloquence 

Shal perce his brest and eek his aventaille. 

In jalousie I rede eek thou hym bynde^ 1205 

And thou shalt make hym couche as doth a quaille. 

If thou be fair^ ther folk been in presence 

Shewe thou thy visage and thyn apparaille ; 

If thou be foul^ be fre of thy dispence^ 

To gete thee freendes ay do thy travaille^ 1210 

Be ay of chiere as light as leef on lynde_, 

And lat hym care_, and wepe^ and wryng^ and waille. 

Here endeth the Cleric of Oxenford his Tale, 
I 



Bihoold the murye wordes of the Hoost. 

This worthy clerk_, whan ended was his tale^ 

Oure hoost seyde_, and swoor by goddes bones^ 

**Me were levere than a barel ale 

My wyf at hoom had herd this legende ones ; 

This is a gentil tale for the nones^ 5 

As to my purpos^ wiste ye my wille^ — 

But thyng that wol nat be^ lat it be stille/' 

Heere endeth the tale of the Clerk of Oxenford, 

[This stanza^ perhaps made up by a scribe from other 
lines in Chaucer^ is inserted in EUesmere MS. and elsewhere 
as a link between the Clerk's Tale and the Envoy^ ascribed 
to Chaucer. The Envoy^ however^ belongs to the Clerk^ and 
the stanza seems both spurious and unnecessary.] 



i 



THE PROLOGUE OF THE 
MARCH ANTES TALE 

The Prologe of the Marchantes tale. 

"Wepyng and waylyng, care and oother sorwe^ 
I knowe ynogh^ on even and a morwe^'' 

Quod the Marchant^ ''and so doon othere mo 1215 

That wedded been^ I trowe that it be so. 
For wel I woot^ it fareth so with me. 
I have a wji, the worste that may be^ 
For thogh the feend to hire ycoupled were^ 
She wolde hym overmacche^ I dar wel swere. 1220 

What sholde I yow reherce in special 
Hir hye malice ? She is a shrewe at al ! 
Ther is a long and large difference ' 
Bitwix Grisildis grete pacience 

And of my wyf the passyng crueltee. 1225 

Were I unbounden^ al so moot I thee^ 
I wolde nevere eft comen in the snare. 
We wedded men lyve in sorwe and care ; 
Assaye who so wole_, and he shal fynde 

I seye sooth^ by seint Thomas of Ynde — 1230 

As for the moore part^ I sey nat alle; 
God shilde^ that it sholde so bif alle ! 
A^ goode Sir Hoost^ I have ywedded bee 
Thise monthes two^ and moore nat^ pardee ; 
And yet I trowe^ he that al his lyve 1235 

Wyflees hath been^ though that men wolde him ryve 
Unto the herte^ ne koude in no manere 
Tellen so muchel sorwe as I now heere 
Koude tellen of my wyves cursednesse \" 
Now quod our hoost^ ''Marchant^ so God yow blesse^ 12i0 



316 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Syn ye so muchel knowen of that art^ 
Ful hertely I pray yow telle us part." 
"Gladly/' quod he^ "but of myn owene soore^ 
For soory herte I telle may namoore/' 



THE TALE. 

[January^ a rich old dotard^ who has married May^ in 
spite of his friends' objections to the inequality of their 
ages^ is deceived by her and his young squire Damian^ 
although Pluto in pity restores his lost sight.] 



i 



EPILOGUE 

The Prologe of the Squieres tale, 

"Ey^ Goddes mercy!'' seyde oure Hooste tho^ 
''Now swich a wyf I pray God kepe me fro ! 2420 

Lo, whiche sleightes and subtilitees 
In wommen been_, for ay as bisy as bees 
Been they us sely men for to deeeyve; 
And from a sooth evere wol they weyve^ 

By this Marchauntes tale it preveth weel. 2425 

But doutelees^ as trewe as any steely 
I have a wyf^ though that she povre be^ 
But of hir tonge a labbyng shrewe is she. 
And yet she hath an heep of vices mo — 

Ther-of no fors^ lat alle swiche thynges go. 2430 

But wyte ye what^ in conseil be it seyd_, 
Me reweth soore I am unto hire teyd ; 
For and I sholde rekenen every vice^ 
Which that she hath^ ywis^ I were to nyee. 
And cause why.'* it sholde reported be^ 2435 

And toold to hir of somme of this meynee; 
Of whom^ it nedeth nat for to declare^ 
Syn wommen konnen outen swich chafPare. 
And eek my wit suffiseth nat therto^ 
To tellen al_, wherfore my tale is do.'' ' 2440 



GROUP F. 

PROLOGUE TO THE SQUIERES 
TALE 

Squier^ come neer^ if it your wille be^ 
And sey somwhat of love^ for certes^ ye 
Konnen theron as muche as any man." 
''Nay sir/' quod he^ ''but I wol seye as I kan^ 
With hertly wjl, for I wol nat rebelle 
Agayn your lust. A tale wol I telle^ 
Have me excused if I speke amys; 
My wyl is good^ and lo^ my tale is this.'* 



THE SQUIERES TALE 

Heere higynneth the Squieres Tale. 

At Sarray^ in the land of Tartarye_, 
Ther dwelte a kyng^ that werreyed Russye, 10 

Thurgh which ther dyde many a doughty man. 
This noble kyng was cleped Cambynskan^, 
Which in his tyme was of so greet renoun_, 
That ther was nowher in no regioun 

So excellent a lord in alle thyng. 15 

Hym lakked noght that longeth to a- kyng ; 
And of the secte^ of which that he was born_, 
He kepte his lay^ to which that he was sworn ; 
And therto he was hardy^ wys^ and riche^ 
Pitous^ and just^ and everemoore yliche. 20 

Sooth of his word^ benigne^ and honurable^ 
Of his corage as any centre stable_, 
Yong_, fressh^ strongs and in armes desirous 
As any bacheler of al his hous. 

A fair persone he was^ and fortunate 25 

And kepte alwey so wel roial estat 
That ther was nowher swich another man. 
This noble kjmg^ this Tartre Cambynskan, 
Hadde two sones on Elpheta his wyf^ 

Of whiche the eldeste highte Algarsyf^ 30 

That oother sone was cleped Cambalo. 
A doghter hadde this worthy kyng also_, 
That yongest was^ and highte Canacee. 
But for to telle yow al hir beautee^ 

It lyth nat in my tonge nyn my konnyng. S5 

I dar nat undertake so heigh a thyng; 
Myn Englissh eek is insufficient. 
I moste been a rethor excellent^ 

20 and pitous; and everemoore alwey. 



320 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

That koude hise colours longynge for that art^ 

If he sholde hir discryven every part. 40 

I am noon swich; I moot speke as I kan. 

And so bifel^ that whan this Cambynskan 
Hath twenty wynter born his diademe^ 
As he was wont fro yeer to yeer^ I deme^ 
He leet the feeste of his nativitee 45 

Doon cryen thurghout Sarray his citee^ 
The last Idus of March after the yeer. 
Phebus the sonne ful joly was and cleer^ 
For he was neigh his exaltacioun 

In Martes face_5 and in his mansioun 50 

In Aries^ the colerik hoote signe. 
Ful lusty was the weder^ and benigne^ 
For which the f oweles agayn the sonne sheene_, 
What for the sesoun and the yonge grene_, 
Ful loude songen hir afFecciouns ; * 55 

Hem semed han geten hem protecciouns 
Agayn the swerd of wynter^ keene and coold. 
This Cambynskan^ of which I have yow toold^ 
In roial vestiment sit on his deys^ 

With diademe_, ful heighe in his paleys^ 60 

And halt his feeste so solempne and so ryche^ 
That in this world ne was ther noon it lyche. 
Of which^ if I shal tellen al tharray^ 
Thanne wolde it occupie e. someres day^ 

And eek it nedeth nat for to devyse^ 65 

At every cours_, the ordre of hire servyse. 
I wol nat tellen of hir strange sewes^ 
Ne of hir swannes^ nor of hire heronsewes ; 
Eek in that lond^ as tellen knyghtes olde, 
Ther is som mete that is ful deynte holde^ 70 

That in this lond men recche of it but smal — 
Ther nys no man that may reporten al. 
I wol nat taryen yow^ for it is pryme^ 

46 thurgh. 62 ne om. 



THE SQUIERES TALE 321 

And for it is no fruyt but los of tyme. 

Unto my firste I wole have my recours. 75 

And so bifel^ that after the thridde cours 
Whil that this kyng sit thus in his nobleye^ 
Herknynge hise mynstrals hir thynges pleye 
Biforn hym at the bord deliciously^ 

In at the halle dore al sodeynly 80 

Ther cam a knyght^ upon a steede of bras^ 
And in his hand a brood mirour of glas^ 
Upon his thombe he hadde of gold a ryng^ 
And by his syde a naked swerd hangyng. 
And up he rideth to the heighe bord. 85 

In al the hall ne was ther spoken a word 
For merveille of this knyght ; hym to biholde 
Ful bisily ther wayten yonge and olde. 
This strange knyght^ that cam thus sodeynly 
Al armed^ save his heed^ ful richely^ 90 

Saleweth kyng^ and queene^ and lordes alle^ 
By ordre^ as they seten in the halle^ ' 
With so heigh reverence and obeisaunce^ 
As wel in speche as in contenaunce_, 

That Gawayn_, with his olde curteisye^ 95 

Though he were comen ayeyn out of Fairye^ 
Ne koude hym nat amende with a word. 
And after this^ biforn the heighe bord 
He with a manly voys seith his message^ 
After the forme used in his langage^ 100 

Withouten vice of silable or of lettre. 
And for his tale sholde seme the bettre^ 
Accordant to hise wordes was his cheere^ 
As techeth art of speche hem that it leere. 
Al be it that I kan nat sowne his stile^ 105 

Ne kan nat clymben over so heigh a style^ 
Yet seye I this^ as to commune entente^ 
Thus muche amounteth al that evere he mente, 

105 it om. 



II 



322 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

If it so be that I have it in mynde. 

He seyde^ **The kyng of Arabe and of Inde^, 110 

My lige lord_, on this solempne day 

Saleweth yow_, as he best kan and may; 

And sendeth yow^ in honour of your feeste^ 

By me_, that am al redy at your heeste_, 

This steede of bras^ that esily and weel 115 

Kan in the space of o day natureel^ 

This is to seyn^ in foure and twenty houres^ 

Wherso yow lyst^ in droghte or elles shoures^ 

Beren youre body into every place 

To which youre herte wilneth for to pace^ 120 

Without en wem of yow^ thurgh foul or fair. 

Or if yow lyst to fleen as hye in the air 

As dooth an egle^ whan that hym list to soore. 

This same steede shal bere yow evere moore 

Withouten harm^ til ye be ther yow leste^ 125 

Though that ye slepen on his bak or reste'; 

And turne ayeyn^ with writhyng of a pyn. 

He that it wroghte^ koude ful many a gyn; 

He wayted many a constellacioun 

Er he had doon this operacioun; ISO 

And knew ful many a seel^ and many a bond. 

This mirrour eek^ that I have in myn hond. 

Hath swich a myght^ that men may in it see 

Whan ther shal fallen any adversitee 

Unto your regne^ or to yourself also^ 135 

And openly who is your freend^ or foo. 

And over al this^ if any lady bright 

Hath set hir herte in any maner wight^ 

If he be fals^ she shal his tresoun see^ 

His newe love^ and al his subtiltee 140 

So openly^ that ther shal no thyng hyde. 

Wherfore^ ageyn this lusty someres tyde^ 

This mirour and this ryng that ye may see^ 

He hath sent unto my lady Canacee^ 



THE SQUIERES TALE 323 

Your excellente doghter that is heere. 145 

The vertu of the ryng^ if ye wol heere^ 

Is this_, that if hir lust it for to were 

Upon hir thombe^ or in hir purs it bere^ 

Ther is no f owel that fleeth under the hevene 

That she ne shal wel understonde his stevene^ 150 

And knowe his menyng openly and pleyn^ 

And answere hym in his langage ageyn. 

And every gras that groweth upon roote^ 

She shal eek knowe^ and whom it wol do boote^ 

Al be hise woundes never so depe and wyde. 155 

This naked swerd^ that hangeth by my syde 

Swich vertu hath^ that what man so ye smyte 

Thurghout his armure it wole hym kerve and byte. 

Were it as thikke as is a branched ook. 

And what man that is wounded with a strook l60 

Shal never be hool, til that yow list of grace 

To stroke hym with the plate in thilke place 

Ther he is hurt; this is as muche to seyn, 

Ye moote with the plate swerd ageyn 

Strike hym in the wounde_, and it wol close. l65 

This is a verray sooth withouten glose. 

It failleth nat, whils it is in youre hoold." 

And whan this knyght hath thus his tale toold. 
He rideth out of halle, and doun he lighte. 
His steede^ which that shoon as sonne brighte_, 170 

Stant in the courts as stille as any stoon. 
This knyght is to his chambre lad anoon, 
And is unarmed and unto mete yset. 
The presentes been ful roially yfet^ 

This is to seyn, the swerd and the mirour^ 175 

And born anon into the heighe tour 
With certeine officers ordeyned therfore. 
And unto Canacee this ryng was bore^ 
Solempnely, ther she sit at the table. 

162 thilke that. 164 plat. 171 as (l) om. 



324 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

But sikerly^ withouten any fable^ 180 

The hors of bras^ that may nat be remewed, 

It stant as it were to the ground yglewed. 

Ther may no man out of the place it dryve^ 

For noon engyn of wyndas ne polyve ; 

And cause why^ for they kan nat the craft, 185 

And therf ore in the place they han it laft, 

Til that the knyght hath taught hem the manere 

To voyden hym^ as ye shal after heere. 

Greet was the prees that swarmeth to and fro 

To gauren on this hors^ that stondeth so. 190 

For it so heigh was, and so brood, and long, 

So wel proporcioned for to been strong. 

Right as it were a steede of Lumbardye ; 

Therwith so horsly and so quyk of eye. 

As it a gentil Poilleys courser were. 195 

For certes, fro his tayl unto his ere. 

Nature ne art ne koude hym nat amende 

In no degree, as al the peple wende. 

But everemoore hir mooste wonder was 

How that it koude go, and was of bras. 200 

It was a f airye, as al the peple semed. 

Diverse folk diversely they demed; 

As many heddes, as manye wittes ther been. 

They murmureden as dooth a swarm of been. 

And maden skiles after hir fantasies, 205 

Rehersynge of thise olde poetries, 

And seyde that it was lyk the Pegasee, 

The hors that hadde wynges for to flee; 

Or elles, it was the Grekes hors Synoun, 

That broghte Troie to destruccioun, 210 

As men in thise olde geestes rede. 

'*Myn herte,'' quod oon, ''is everemoore in drede. 
I trowe som men of armes been therinne. 
That shapen hem this citee for to wynne. 
It were right good that al swich thyng were knowe." 215 






THE SQUIERES TALE S25 

Another rowned to his felawe lowe^ 
And seyde^ "He lyeth; it is rather lyk 
An apparence ymaad by som magyk_, 
As jogelours pleyen at thise feestes grete/' 
Of sondry doutes thus they jangle and trete^ 220 

As lewed peple demeth comunly 
Of thynges that been maad moore subtilly 
Than they kan in hir lewednesse comprehende ; 
They demen gladly to the badder ende. 

And somme of hem wondred on the mirour 225 

That born was up into the maister tour — 
How men myghte in it swiche thynges se. 
Another answerde^ and seyde^ '*It myghte wel be 
Naturelly by composiciouns 

Of anglis and of slye reflexiouns ;" 230 

And seyden^ that in Rome was swich oon. 
They speken of Alocen and Vitulon^ 
And Aristotle^ that writen in hir lyves 
Of queynte mirours and of perspectives^ 

As knowen they that han hir bookes herd. 235 

And oother folk han wondred on the swerd^ 
That wolde percen thurgh out every thyng; 
And fille in speche of Thelophus the kyng 
And of Achilles with his queynte spere^ 

For he koude with it bothe heele and dere^ 240 

Right in swich wise as men may with the swerd^ 
Of which right now ye han yourselven herd. 
They speken of sondry hardyng of metal^, 
And speke of medicynes therwithal^ 

And how and whanne it sholde yharded be^ 245 

Which is unknowe^ algates unto me. 
Tho speeke they of Canacees ryng^ 
And seyden alle^ that swich a wonder thyng 
Of craft of rynges herde they nevere noon; ^ 
Save that he Moyses^ and kyng Salomon 250 

226 maister hye 



326 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Hadde a name of konnyng in swich art. 
Thus seyn the peple^ and drawen hem apart. 
But nathelees^ somme seiden that it was 
Wonder to maken of fern asshen glas^ 

And yet nys glas nat lyk asshen of fern; 255 

But for they han knowen it so fern_, 
Therfore cesseth hir janglyng and hir wonder. 
As soore wondren somme. on cause of thonder^ 
On ebbe^ on floods on gossomer^ and on myst^ 
And alle thyng^ til that the cause is wyst. 260 

Thus jangle they^ and demen^ and devyse^ 
Til that the kyng gan fro the bord aryse. 
Phebus hath laft the angle meridional^ 
And yet ascendynge was the beest roial, 

The gentil Leoun^ with his Aldrian^ 265 

Whan that this Tartre kyng^ this Cambynskan 
Roos fro his bord^ ther that he sat ful hye. 
Toforn hym gooth the loude mynstralcye 
Til he cam to his chambre of parementz, 
Ther as they sownen diverse intrumentz 270 

That it is lyk an hevene for to heere. 
Now dauncen lusty Venus children deere^ 
For in the Fyssh hir lady sat ful hye^ 
And looketh on hem with a freendly eye. 
This noble kyng is set up in his trone; 275 

This strange knyght is fet to hym ful soone^ 
And on the daunce he gooth with Canacee. 
Heere is the revel and the jolitee 
That is nat able a dul man to devyse ; 

He moste han knowen love and his servyse^ 280 

And been a f eestlych man as fressh as May^ 
That sholde yow devysen swich array. 
W^ho koude telle yow the forme of daunces^ 
So unkouthe and so fresshe contenaunces^ 
Swich subtil lookyng and dissymulynges^ 285 

260 And on. 266 this (2) om. 



THE SQUIERES TALE 327 

For drede of jalouse mennes aperceyvynges ? 

No man but Launcelet^ and he is deed. 

Therf ore I passe of al this lustiheed ; 

I sey namoore_, but in this jolynesse 

I lete hem^ til men to the soper dresse. 290 

The styward bit the spices for to hye_, 
And eek the wyn^ in al this melodye ; 
The usshers and the squiers been ygoon^ 
The spices and the wyn is come anoon_, 

They ete and drynke_, and whan this hadde an ende^ 295 

Unto the temple^ as reson was^ they wende. 
The service doon^ they soupen al by day; 
What nedeth me rehercen hir array? 
Ech man woot wel^ that at a kynges feeste 
Hath plentee^ to the mooste and to the leeste_, 300 

And deyntees mo than been in my knowyng. 
At after soper gooth this noble kyng^ 
To seen this hors of bras^ with al the route 
Of lordes^ and of ladyes hym aboute. 

Swich wondryng was ther on this hors of bras^ 305 

That syn the grete sege of Troie was^ 
Ther as men wondreden on an hors also^ 
Ne was ther swich a wondryng as was tho. 
But fynally^ the kyng axeth this knyght 
The vertu of this courser^ and the myght; 310 

And preyde hym to telle his governaunce. 
This hors anoon bigan to trippe and daunce_, 
Whan that this knyght leyde hand upon his reyne. 
And seyde^ ''Sire^ ther is namoore to seyne^ 
But whan yow list to ryden any where^ 315 

Ye mooten trille a pyn^ stant in his ere^ 
Which I shal telle yow bitwix us two. 
Ye moote nempne hym to what place also^ 
Or to what contree^ that yow list to ryde^ 
And whan ye come ther as yow list abyde^ 320 

291 the om. 299 at om. 317 yow telle. 



328 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Bidde hym descende^ and trille another pyn^ 

(For therin lith theiFect of al the gyn) 

And he wol doun descende^ and doon youre wille. 

And in that place he wol stonde stille^ 

Though al the world the contrarie hadde y swore; 32 5 

He shal nat thennes been ydrawe ne ybore. 

Or^ if yow liste^ bidde hym thennes goon^ 

Trille this pyn^ and he wol vanysshe anoon 

Out of the'sighte of every maner wight_, 

And come agayn^ be it day or nyght^ 330 

Whan that yow list to clepen hym ageyn^ 

In swich a gyse as I shal to yow seyn^ 

Bitwixe yow and me^ and that ful soone. 

Ride whan yow list; ther is namoore to doone." 

Enformed whan the kyng was of that knyght^ 335 

And hath conceyved in his wit aright 

The manere and the forme of al this thyng^ 

Thus glad and blithe this noble doughty kyng 

Repeireth to his revel as biforn. 

The brydel is unto the tour yborn^ 340 

And kept among hise jueles^ leeve and deere. 

The hors vanysshed^ I noot in what manere^ 

Out of hir sighte ; ye gete namoore of me. 

But thus I lete in lust and jolitee 

This Cambynskan^ hise lordes festeiynge^ 34^5 

Til wel ny the day bigan to sprynge. 

Explicit prima pars, 
Sequitur pars secunda. 

The norice of digestioun^ the sleepe^ 
Gan on hem wynke^ and bad hem taken keepe^ 
That muchel drynke and labour wolde han reste ; 
And with a galpyng mouth hem alle he keste^ 350 

322 in om. 326 nor. 327 list. 338 doughty om. 






THE SQUIERES TALE 329 

And seyde^ **It was tyme to lye adoun^ 

For blood was in his domynacioun. 

Cherisseth bloody natures freend^'' quod he. 

They thanken hym^ galpynge^ by two^ by thre^ 

And every wight gan drawe hym to his reste^ 355 

As sleep hem bad ; they tooke it for the beste. 

Hir dremes shul nat been ytoold for me ; 

Ful were hir heddes of fumositee^ 

That causeth dreem^ of which ther nys no charge. 

They slepen til that it was pryme large^ 360 

The mooste part^ but it were Canacee; 

She was ful mesurable^ as wommen be. 

For of hir fader hadde she take leve 

To goon to reste^ soone after it was eve. 

Hir liste nat appalled for to be^ 365 

Ne on the morwe unfeestlich for to se: 

And slepte hir firste sleepe_, and thanne awook ; 

For swich a joye she in hir herte took^ 

Bothe of hir queynte ryng and hire- mirour^ 

That twenty tyme she changed hir colour^ 370 

And in hir sleep right for impressioun 

Of hir mirour she hadde a visioun. 

Wherfore_, er that the sonne gan up glyde^ 

She cleped on hir maistresse^ hir bisyde^ 

And seyde^ that hir liste for to ryse. 375 

Thise olde wommen that been gladly wyse^ 

As hir maistresse answerde hir anon^ 

And seyde^ ''Madame^ whider wil ye goon 

Thus erly^ for the folk been alle on reste ?'* 

**I wol^'' quod she^ ''arise^ for me leste 380 

No lenger for to slepe ; and walke aboute." 

Hir maistresse clepeth wommen a greet route^ 

And up they rysen wel an ten or twelve. 

Up riseth fresshe Canacee hirselve^ 

As rody and bright as dooth the yonge sonne, 385 

That in the Ram is foure degrees upronne. 



330 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Noon hyer was he^ whan she redy was ; 

And forth she walketh esily a pas^ 

Arrayed after the lusty sesoun soote^ 

Lightly for to pleye and walke on foote^ 390 

Nat but with fyve or sixe of hir meynee; 

And in a trench forth in the park gooth she. 

The vapour^ which that fro the erthe glood^ 
Made the sonne to seme rody and brood ; 
But nathelees^ it was so fair a sighte 395 

That it made alle hir hertes for to lighte^ 
What for the sesoun and the morwenynge^ 
And for the foweles that she herde synge; 
For right anon she wiste what they mente 
Right by hir song^ and knew al hir entente. 400 

The knotte^ why that every tale is toold^ 
If it be taried til that lust be coold 
Of hem that han it after herkned yoore^ 
The savour passeth ever lenger the moore^ 
For fulsomnesse of his prolixitee; 405 

And by the same resoun thynketh me^ 
I sholde to the knotte condescende^ 
And maken of hir walkyng soone an ende. 
Amydde a tree fordryed^ as whit as chalky 
As Canacee was pleyyng in hir walk^ 410 

Ther sat a faucon over hir heed ful hye^ 
That with a pitous voys so gan to crye 
That all the wode resouned of hir cry. 
Ybeten hath she hirself so pitously 

With bothe hir wynges^ til the rede blood 415 

Ran endelong the tree ther as she stood^ 
And evere in oon she cryde alwey and shrighte^ 
And with hir beek hirselven so she prighte^ 
That ther nys tygre^ ne noon so crueel beest 
That dwelleth outher in wode or in forest 420 

That nolde han wept^ if that he wepe koude 

416 as om. 421 he she. 






THE SQUIERES TALE 331 

For sorwe of hir^, she shrighte alwey so loude. 

For ther nas nevere yet no man on lyve 

(If that I koude a faucon wel discryve)^ 

That herde of swich another of fairnesse^ 425 

As wel of plumage as of gentillesse 

Of shape and al that myghte yrekened be. 

A faucon peregryn thanne semed she 

Of fremde land, and everemoore as she stood 

She swowneth now and now for lakke of bloody 430 

Til wel neigh is she fallen fro the tree. 

This faire kynges doghter Canacee^ 

That on hir fynger baar the queynte ryng^ 

Thurgh which she understood wel every thyng 

That any fowel may in his leden seyn^ 435 

And koude answeren hym in his ledene ageyn 

Hath understonde what this faucoun seyde_, 

And wel neigh for the routhe almoost she deyde. 

And to the tree she gooth ful hastily^ 

And on this f aukoun looketh pitously^^ 440 

And heeld hir lappe abrood^ for wel she wiste 

The faukon moste fallen fro the twiste^ 

Whan that it swowned next^ for lakke of blood. 

A longe while to wayten hir she stood^ 

Til atte laste she spak in this manere 445 

Unto the hauk^ as ye shal after heere. 

''What is the cause^ if it be for to telle^ 
That ye be in this furial pyne of helle.^'' 
Quod Canacee unto the hauk above^ 

''Is this for sorwe of deeth^ or los of love? 450 

For^ as I trowe^ thise been causes two 
That causeth moost a gentil herte wo. 
Of oother harm it nedeth nat to speke^ 
For ye yourself upon yourself yow wreke^ 
Which proveth wel^ that outher love or drede 455 

Moot been enchesoun of your cruel dede^ 

423 man yet. 



SS2 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Syn that I see noon oother wight yow chace. 

For love of God as dooth yourselven grace^ 

Or what may been your helpe ? for west nor est 

Ne saugh I nevere er now no bryd ne beest 460 

That ferde with hymself so pitously. 

Ye sle me with your sorwe^ verraily^ 

I have of yow so greet compassioun. 

For Goddes love com fro the tree adoun. 

And as I am a kynges doghter trewe^ 465 

If that I verraily the cause knewe 

Of your disese^ if it lay in my myght 

I wolde amenden it er that it were nyght^ 

As wisly helpe me^ grete god of kynde ! 

And herbes shal I right ynowe yfynde^ 470 

To heele with youre hurtes hastily/' 

Tho shrighte this faucoun moore yet pitously 
Than ever she dide^ and fil to grounde anon 
And lith aswowne_, deed_, and lyk a stoon^ 
Til Canacee hath in hir lappe hir take 475 

Unto the tyme she gan of swough awake. 
And after that she of hir swough gan breyde^ 
Right in hir haukes ledene thus she seyde: 
*'That pitee renneth soone in gentil herte_, 
Feelynge his similitude in peynes smerte^ 480 

Is preved al day^ as men may it see_, 
As wel by werk as by auctoritee. 
For gentil herte kitheth gentillesse. 
I se wel^ that ye han of my distresse 

Compassioun_, my faire Canacee^ 485 

Of verray wommanly benignytee 
That nature in youre principles hath set. 
But for noon hope for to fare the bet^ 
But for to obeye unto youre herte free^ 

And for to maken othere be war by me^ 490 

As by the whelp chasted is the leoun^ 

463 passioun. 469 the grete. 481 it om. 487 yset. 489 to om. 



THE SQUIERES TALE 333 

Right for that cause and for that conclusioun 

Whil that I have a leyser and a space^ 

Myn harm I wol confessen^ er I pace/' 

And evere whil that oon hir sorwe tolde^ 495 

That oother weep^ as she to water wolde^ 

Til that the faucoun bad hire to be stille; 

And with a syk right thus she seyde hir wille. 

*'Ther I was bred, allas^ that harde day ! 

And fostred in a roche of marbul gray 500 

So tendrely^ that no thyng eyled me; 

I nyste nat what was adversitee^ 

Til I koude flee ful hye under the sky. 

Tho dwelte a tercelet me faste by 

That semed welle of alle gentillesse^ 505 

Al were he ful of tresoun and falsnesse; 

It was so wrapped under humble cheere^ 

And under hewe of trouthe in swich manere_, 

Under plesance^ and under bisy peyne^ 

That I ne koude han wend he koude feyne_, 510 

So depe in greyn he dyed his colours. 

Right as a serpent hit hym vnder floures 

Til he may seen his tyme for to byte^ 

Right so this god of love^ this ypocryte^ 

Dooth so hise cerymonyes and obeisaunces^ 515 

And kepeth in semblant alle hise observaunces 

That sowneth into gentillesse of love. 

As in a toumbe is al the faire above^ 

And under is the corps swich as ye woot^ 

Swich was this ypocrite^ bothe coold and hoot; 520 

And in this wise he served his entente^ 

That — save the feend — noon wiste what he mente; 

Til he so longe hadde wopen and compleyned^ 

And many a yeer his service to me feyned^ 

Til that myn herte^ to pitous and to nyce^ 525 

Al innocent of his corouned malice^ 

499 Ther that. 520 the. 



384^ THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

For-fered of his deeth^ as thoughte me^ 

Upon hise othes and his seuretee^ 

Graunted hym love up this condicioun 

That everemoore myn honour and renoun 530 

Were saved^ bothe privee and apert. 

This is to seyn^ that after his desert 

I yaf hym al myn herte and al my thoght — 

God woot and he^ that ootherwise noght ! — 

And took his herte in chaunge for myn for ay. 535 

But sooth is seyd^ goon sithen many a day^ 

'A trewe wight and a theef thenken nat oon/ 

And whan he saugh the thyng so fer ygoon^ 

That I hadde graunted hym fully my love^ 

In swich a gyse as I have seyd above^ 540 

And yeven hym my trewe herte^ as free 

As he swoor he his herte yaf to me^ 

Anon this tigre ful of doublenesse 

Fil on hise knees^ with so devout humblesse^ 

With so heigh reverence, and as by his cheer e 54i5 

So lyk a gentil lovere of manere^ 

So ravysshed_, as it semed^ for the joye^ 

That nevere Jason^ ne Parys of Troye, 

Jason? certes^ ne noon oother man 

Syn Lameth was^ that alderfirst bigan 550 

To loven two^ as writen folk biforn^ 

Ne nevere syn the firste man was born^ 

Ne koude man^ by twenty thousand part^ 

Countrefete the sophymes of his art; 

Ne were worthy unbokelen his galoche^ 555 

Ther doublenesse or feynyng sholde approche, 

Ne so koude thonke a wight as he dide me. 

His manere was an hevene for to see 

Til any womman^ were she never so wys ; 

So peynted he and kembde at point-devys 560 

As wel hise wordes as his contenaunce 

529 upon. 533 al (2) om. 542 yaf his herte. 548 Jason Troilus. 



THE SQUIERES TALE SS5 

And I so loved hym for his obeisaunce 
And for the trouthe I demed in his herte^ 
That if so were that any thyng hym smerte_, 
Al were it never so lite^ and I it wiste^ o65 

Me thoughte I felte deeth myn herte twiste. 
And shortly so ferforth this thyng is went_, 
That my wyl was his willes instrument; 
This is to seyn, my wyl obeyed his wyl 

In alle thyng as fer as resoun fil^ 570 

Kepynge the boundes of my worship evere. 
Ne nevere hadde I thyng so lief^ ne levere^ 
As hym^ God woot ! ne nevere shal namo. 
This lasteth lenger than a y^er or two^ 
That I supposed of hym noght but good. 575 

But finally_, thus atte laste it stood^ 
That Fortune wolde that he moste twynne 
Out of that place_, which that I was inne. 
Wher me was wo that is no questioun; 

I kan nat make of it discripsioun. ^ 580 

For o thyng dare I tellen boldely^ 
I knowe what is the peyne of deeth therby. 
Swich harme I felte^ for he ne myghte bileve; 
So on a day of me he took his leve 

So sorwefuUy eek^ that I wende verraily^ 5S5 

That he had felt as muche harm as !_, 
Whan that I herde hym speke^ and saugh his hewe. 
But nathelees^ I thoughte he was so trewe^ 
iVnd eek that he repaire sholde ageyn 

Withinne a litel while^ sooth to seyn^ 590 

And resoun wolde eek that he moste go 
For his honour^ as ofte it happeth so^ 
That I made vertu of neeessitee^ 
And took it wel^ syn that it moste be. 

As I best myghte^ I hidde fro hym my sorwe^ 595 

And took hym by the hond^ seint John to borwe^ 
And seyde hym thus^ 'Lo I am youres al. 



336 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Beth swicli as I to yow have been^ and shal/ 

What he answerde^ it nedeth noght reherce^ 

Who kan sey bet than he? who kan do werse? 600 

Whan he hath al wel seyd^ thanne hath he doon; 

'Therfore bihoveth hire a ful long spoon 

That shal ete with a feend/ thus herde I seye. 

So atte laste he moste forth his weye^ 

And forth he fleeth^ til he cam ther hym leste. 605 

Whan it cam hym to purpos for to reste^ 

I trowe he hadde thilke text in mynde 

That 'alle thyng repeirynge to his kynde 

Gladeth hymself ;' thus seyn men^ as I gesse. 

Men loven of propre kynde. i!ewefangelnesse^ 610 

As briddes doon/ that men in cages f ede^ 

For though thou nyght and day take of hem hede^ 

And strawe hir cage faire and softe as silk^ 

And yeve hem sugre^ hony^ breed_, and milk^ 

Yet right anon as that his dore is uppe^ 6 1 5 

He with his feet wol spurne adoun his cuppe^ 

And to the wode he wole and wormes ete; 

So newefangel been they of hir mete. 

And loven novelrie of propre kynde. 

No gentillesse of blood ne may hem bynde. 620 

So f erde this tercelet^ allas^ the day ! 
Though he were gentil born_, and f ressh^ and gay. 
And goodlich for to seen, humble and free. 
He saugh upon a tyme a kyte flee. 

And sodeynly he loved this kyte so 625 

That al his love is clene fro me ago, 
And hath his trouthe falsed in this wyse. 
Thus hath the kyte my love in hire servyse. 
And I am lorn withouten remedie.'' 

And with that word this faucoun gan to crie, 630 

And swowned eft in Canacees barm. 

Greet was the sorwe for the haukes harm 

601 wel om. 620 ne om. 622 and (l) om. 



II 



THE SQUIERES TALE 337 

That Canacee and alle hir wommen made. 

They nyste hou they myghte the faucoun glade; 

But Canacee hom bereth hir in hir lappe^ 635 

And softely in piastres gan hir wrappe^ 

Ther as she with hir beek hadde hurt hirselve. 

Now kan nat Canacee but herbes delve 

Out of the ground^ and make saves newe 

Of herbes preciouse and fyne of hewe^ 640 

To heelen with this hauk; fro day to nyght 

She dooth hir bisynesse and al hir myght. 

And by hir beddes heed she made a mewe^ 

And covered it with veluettes blewe^ 

In signe of trouthe that is in wommen sene. 64^5 

And al withoute^ the mewe is peynted grene^ 

In which were ypeynted alle thise false fowles^ 

As beth thise tidyves^ tercelettes^ and owles^ 

Right for despit were peynted hem bisyde^ 

And pyes on hem for to crie and chyde. 650 

Thus lete I Canacee hir hauk kepyng; 

I wol namoore as now speke of hir ryng^ 

Til it come eft to purpos for to seyn 

How that this faucoun gat hire love ageyn 

Repentant^ as the storie telleth us^ 655 

By mediacioun of Cambalus^ 

The kynges sone^ of which that I yow tolde. 

But hennes forth I wol my proces holde 
To speken of aventures and of batailles^ 

That never e yet was herd so grete mervailles. 660 

First wol I telle yow of Cambynskan^ 
That in his tyme many a citee wan; 
And after wol I speke of Algarsif^ 
How that he wan Theodora to his wif^ 

For whom ful ofte in greet peril he was^ 665 

Ne hadde he be holpen by the steede of bras ; 
And after wol I speke of Cambalo 

641 hauk om. 642 al hire hire fulle. 647 ther were. 657 that oni. 



338 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

That faught in lystes with the bretheren two 

For Canacee^ er that he myghte hir wynne. 

And ther I lefte^ I wol ayeyn bigynne. 670 

Explicit secunda pars, 
Incipit pars tercia, 

AppoUo whirleth up his chaar so hye 

Til that the god Mereurius hous^ the slye — 

670 An. 

[Unfinished.'] 






PROLOGUE TO THE FRANKELEYNS 

TALE 

Heere folwen the wordes of the Franhelyn to the Squier, 
and the wordes of the hoost to the Franhelyn, 

''In feith^ Squier_, thow hast thee wel yquit^ 

And gentilly I preise wel thy wit^'' 

Quod the Frankeleyn_, *'considerynge thy yowthe^ 675 

So feelyngly thou spekest^ sire^ I allow the; 

As to my doom^ ther is noon that is heere 

Of eloquence that shal be thy peere^ 

If that thou lyve — God yeve thee good chaunce^ 

And in vertu sende thee continuance ! 680 

For of thy speche I have greet deyntee; 

I have a sone^ and^ by the Trinitee^ 

I hadde levere than twenty pound worth lond^ 

Though it right now were fallen in myn hond^ 

He were a man of swich discrecioun 685 

As that ye been; fy on possessioun 

But if a man be vertuous withal ! 

I have my sone snybbed^ and yet shal^ 

For he to vertu listneth nat entende^ 

But for to pleye at dees^ and to despende 690 

And lese al that he hath^ is his usage. 

And he hath levere talken with a page 

Than to comune with any gentil wight 

There he myghte lerne gentillesse aright/' 

'*Straw for youre gentillesse/' quod our Hoost^ QQ5 

What^ Frankeleyn^ pardee ! sire_, wel thou woost 

That ech of yow moot tellen atte leste 

A tale or two^ or breken his biheste." 

*'That knowe I wel^ sire^" quod the Frankeleyn^ 

"I prey yow^ haveth me nat in desdeyn 700 



340 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Though to this man I speke a word or two/' 

*' Telle on thy tale^ withouten wordes mo." 

"Glady^ sire Hoost/' quod he^ "I wole obeye 

Unto your wyl; now herkneth what I seye. 

I wol yow nat contrarien in no wyse 705 

As f er as that my wittes wol sufFyse ; 

I prey to God that it may plesen yow^ 

Thanne woot I wel that it is good ynow/* 



THE FRANKELEYNS TALE 

The Prologe of the Frankeleyns tale, 

Thise olde gentil Britouns in hir dayes 

Of diverse aventures maden layes^ 710 

Rymeyed in hir firste Briton tonge; 

Whiche layes with hir instrumentz they songe, 

Or elles redden hem_, for hir plesaunce. 

And oon of hem have I in remembraunce^ 

Which I shal seyn^ with good-wyl^ as I kan. 715 

But sires^ by cause I am a burel man^ 

At my bigynnyng first I yow biseche^ 

Have me excused of my rude speche. 

I lerned nevere rethorik_, certeyn; 

Thyng that I speke^ it moot be bare and pleyn. 720 

I sleep nevere on the Mount of Pernaso^ 

Ne lerned Marcus TuUius Scithero. 

Colours ne knowe I none^ withouten drede^ 

But swiche colours as growen in the mede^ 

Or elles swiche^ as men dye or peynte. 725 

Colours of rethoryk been me to queynte^ 

My spirit feeleth noght of swich mateere; 

But if yow list^ my tale shul ye heere. 

Heere higynneth the Frankeleyns tale. 

In Armorik^ that called is Britayne^ 

Ther was a knyght that loved and dide his payne 730 

To serve a lady in his beste wise ; 

And many a labour^ many a greet emprise^ 

He for his lady wroghte_, er she were wonne. 

726 me om. 



342 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

For she was oon the faireste under sonne, 



^y 



And eek therto comen of so heigh kynrede 735 

That wel unnethes dorste this knyght for drede 

Telle hir his wo^ his peyne^ and his distresse. 

But atte laste^ she for his worthynesse^ 

And namely for his meke obeysaunee^ 

Hath swiche a pitee caught of his penaunce^ 740 

That pryvely she fil of his accord 

To take hym for hir housbonde and hir lord — 

Of swich lordshipe as men han over hir wyves — 

And for to lede the moore in blisse hir lyves. 

Of his free wyl he swoor hir as a knyght^ 745 

That nevere in al his lyf he^ day ne nyght^ 

Ne sholde upon hym take no maistrie 

Agayn hir wyl^ ne kithe hir jalousie^ 

But hir obeye and folwe hir wyl in al 

As any lovere to his lady shal; 750 

Save that the name of soveraynetee^ 

That wolde he have^ for shame of his degree. 

She thanked hym^ and with ful greet humblesse 

She seyde^ *'Sire^ sith of youre gentillesse 

Ye prof re me to have so large a reyne^ 755 

Ne wolde nevere God bitwixe us tweyne^ 

As in my gilt^ were outher werre or stryf . 

Sir^ I wol be your humble trewe wyf^ 

Have heer my trouthe til that myn herte breste/' 

Thus been they bothe in quiete and in reste. 760 

For o thyng^ sires^ saufly dar I seye^ 

That freendes everych oother moot obeye. 

If they wol longe holden compaignye. 

Love wol nat been constreyned by maistrye; 

Whan maistrie comth, the God of Love anon 765 

Beteth hise wynges^ and farewel, he is gon ! 

Love is a thyng as any spirit free. 

Wommen of kynde desiren libertee, 

And nat to been constreyned as a thral — 






THE FRANKELEYNS TALE 343 

And so doon men^ if I sooth seyen shal. 770 

Looke who that is moost pacient in love^ 

He is at his avantage al above. 

Pacience is an heigh vertu^ certeyn^ 

For it venquysseth_, as thise clerkes seyn^ 

Thynges that rigour sholde nevere atteyne. 775 

For every word men may nat chide or pleyne^ 

Lerneth to sufFre_, or elles^ so moot I goon^ 

Ye shul it lerne^ wherso ye wole or noon. 

For in this world_, eertein^ ther no wight is 

That he ne dooth or seith som tyme amys. 780 

Ire^ siknesse^ or constellacioun 

Wyn^ wo^ or chaungynge of complexioun 

Causeth ful ofte to doon amys or speken. 

On every wrong a man may nat be wreken; 

After the tyme moste be temperaunce 785 

To every wight that kan on governaunce. 

And therfore hath this wise worthy knyght^ 

To lyve in ese^ suiFranee hir bihight_, » 

And she to hym ful wisly gan to swere 

That nevere sholde ther be defaute in here. 790 

Heere may men seen an humble wys accord ! 

Thus hath she take hir servant and hir lord^ 

Servant in love^ and lord in mariage ; 

Thanne was he bothe in lordship and servage — 

Servage.^ nay but in lordshipe above^ 795 

Sith he hath bothe his lady and his love — 

His lady^ certes^ and his wyf also_, 

The which that lawe of love acordeth to. 

And whan he was in this prosperitee^ 
Hoom with his wyf he gooth to his contree^ 800 

Nat fer fro Pedmark^ ther his dwellyng was^ 
Where as he lyveth in blisse and in solas. 
Who koude telle^ but he hadde wedded be^ ' 
The j oye^ the ese^ and the prosperitee 
That is bitwixe an housbonde and his wyf .^ 805 



344 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

A jeer and moore lasted this blisful lyf^ 

Til that the knyght of which I speke of thus. 

That of Kayrrud was eleped Arveragus, 

Shoop hym to goon, and dwelle a yeer or tweyne. 

In Engelond, that eleped was eek Briteyne, 810 

To seke in armes worship and honour — 

For al his lust he sette in swich labour — 

And dwelled there two yeer, the book seith thus. 

Now wol I stynten of this Arveragus 

And speken I wole of Dorigene his wyf, 815 

That loveth hir housbonde as hir hertes lyf. 

For his absence wepeth she and siketh. 

As doon thise noble wyves whan hem liketh. 

She moorneth, waketh, wayleth, fasteth^ pleyneth, 

Desir of his presence hir so destreyneth, 820 

That al this wyde world she sette at noght, 

Hir f reendes whiche that knewe hir hevy thoght, 

Conforten hir in al that ever they may. 

They prechen hir, they telle hir nyght and day 

That causelees she sleeth hirself, alias ! 825 

And every confort possible in this cas 

They doon to hir, with all hir bisynesse, 

Al for to make hir leve hir hevynesse. 

By proces, as ye knowen everichoon. 

Men may so longe graven in a stoon, 830 

Til som figure therinne emprented be. 

So longe han they conforted hir, til she 

Receyved hath by hope and by resoun 

The emprentyng of hir consolacioun, 

Thurgh which hir grete sorwe gan aswage; SS5 

She may nat alwey duren in swich rage. 

And eek Arveragus, in al this care. 

Hath sent hir lettres hoom of his welfare. 

And that he wol come hastily agayn. 

Or elles hadde this sorwe hir herte slayn. 840 

Hir freendes sawe hir sorwe gan to slake, 



THE FRANKELEYNS TALE 345 

And preyden hir on knees^ for Goddes sake. 

To come and romen hir in compaignye, 

Awey to dryve hir derke fantasye. 

And finally she graunted that requeste, 845 

For wel she saugh that it was for the beste. 

Now stood hir castel faste by the see; 
And often with hir freendes walketh shee 
Hir to disporte, upon the bank an heigh_, 

Where as she many a ship and barge seigh 850 

Seillynge hir cours, where as hem liste go. 
But thanne was that a parcel of hir wo. 
For to hirself ful ofte "alias,'' seith she, 
*'Is ther no ship of so many as I se 

Wol bryngen horn my lord? thanne were myn herte 855 

Al warisshed of hise bittre peynes smerte/' 
Another tyme ther wolde she sitte and thynke 
And caste hir eyen dounward fro the brynke ; 
But whan she saugh the grisly rokkes blake. 
For verray feere, so wolde hir herte quake 860 

That on hir feet she myghte hir noght sustene. 
Thanne wolde she sitte adoun upon the grene. 
And pitously into the see biholde, 
And seyn right thus, with sorweful sikes colde: 
^'Eterne God, that thurgh thy purveiaunce 865 

Ledest the world by certein governaunce. 
In ydel, as men seyn, ye no thyng make. 
But, lord, thise grisly feendly rokkes blake, 
That semen rather a foul confusioun 

Of werk, than any fair creacioun 870 

Of swich a parfit wys God and a stable. 
Why han ye wroght this werk unresonable? 
For by this werk, south, north, ne west ne eest 
Ther nys yfostred man, ne bryd, ne beest. 
It dooth no good, to my wit, but anoyeth, 875 

Se ye nat, lord, how mankynde it destroyeth.^ 

842 preyde. 



34^6 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

An hundred thousand bodyes of mankynde 

Han rokkes slayn^ al be they nat in mynde ; 

Which mankynde is so fair part of thy werk 

That thou it madest lyk to thyn owene merk. 880 

Thanne semed it ye hadde a greet chiertee 

Toward mankynde ; but how thanne may it bee 

That ye swiche meenes make it to destroyen^, 

Whiche meenes do no good_, but evere anoyen? 

I woot wel clerkes wol seyn^ as hem leste^ 885 

By argumentz^ that al is for the beste. 

Though I ne kan the causes nat yknowe^ 

But thilke God^ that made wynd to blowe, 

As kepe my lord; this my conclusioun. 

To clerkes lete I al this disputisoun — 890 

But wolde God^ that alle thise rokkes blake, 

Were sonken into helle for his sake ! 

Thise rokkes sleen myn herte for the feere !'* 

Thus wolde she seyn^ with many a pitous teere. 

Hir freendes sawe that it was no disport 895 

To romen by the see^ but disconfort^ 

And shopen for to pleyen somwher elles ; 

They leden hir by ryveres and by welles^ 

And eek in othere places delitables^ 

They dauncen^ and they pleyen at ches and tables. 900 

So on a day^ right in the morwe tyde^ 
Unto a gardyn that was ther bisyde^ 
In which that they hadde maad hir ordinaunce 
Of vitaille and of oother purveiaunce^ 

They goon and pleye hem al the longe day. . 905 

And this was in the sixte morwe of May^ 
Which May hadde peynted with his softe shoures 
This gardyn ful of leves and of floures^ 
And craft of mannes hand so curiously 

Arrayed hadde this gardyn trewely^ 910 

That nevere was ther gardyn of swich prys 

887 ne om. 



I 



THE FRANKELEYNS TALE 347 

But if it were the verray Paradys. 

The odour of floures and the fresshe sighte 

Wolde han maked any herte lighte 

That evere was born^ but if to greet siknesse 915 

Or to greet sorwe helde it in distresse; 

So ful it was of beautee with plesaunce. 

At after dyner gonne they to daunce 

And synge also^ save Dorigen allone^ 

Which made alwey hir compleint and hir moone 920 

For she ne saugh hym on the daunce go 

That was hir housbonde^ and hir love also. 

But nathelees she moste a tyme abyde^ 

And with good hope lete hir sorwe slyde. 

Upon this daunce^ amonges othere men^ 925 

Daunced a squier biforn Dorigen 
That fressher was^ and jolyer of array^ 
As to my doom_, than is the monthe of May. 
He syngeth_, daunceth_, passynge any man 
That is or was^ sith that the world bigan. 930 

Therwith he was_, if men sholde hym discryve^ 
Oon of the beste farynge man on lyve; 
Yong^ strongs right vertuous^ and riche^ and wys^ 
And wel biloved^ and holden in greet prys. 
And shortly^ if the sothe I tellen shal^ 935 

Unwityng of this Dorigen at al^ 
This lusty squier^ servant to Venus^ 
Which that ycleped was Aurelius_, 
Hadde loved hir best of any creature 

Two yeer and moore_, as was his aventure ; 940 

But nevere dorste he tellen hir his grevaunce, 
Withouten coppe he drank al his penaunce. 
He was despeyred^ no thyng dorste he seye 
Save in his songes somwhat wolde he wreye 
His wo^ as in a general compleynyng. 945 

He seyde he lovede^ and was biloved no thyng^ 
Of swich matere niade he manye layes^ 



348 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Songes^ compleintes^ roundels^ virelayes^ 

How that he dorste nat his sorwe telle, 

But langwissheth, as a furye dooth in helle, 950 

And dye he moste, he seyde, as dide Ekko 

For Narcisus, that dorste nat telle hir wo. 

In oother manere than ye heere me seye_, 

Ne dorste he nat to hir his wo biwreye, 

Save that paraventure som tyme at daunces, 955 

Ther yonge folk kepen hir observaunces, 

It may wel be he looked on hir face. 

In swich a wise as man that asketh grace ; 

But no thyng wiste she of his entente. 

Nathelees it happed, er they thennes wente, 960 

By cause that he was hir neighebour. 

And was a man of worship and honour, 

And hadde yknowen hym of tyme yoore, 

They fille in speche, and forthe moore and moore 

Unto this purpos drough Aurelius. 965 

And whan he saugh his tyme, he seyde thus : 

''Madame,'' quod he, **by God that this world made. 

So that I wiste it myghte your herte glade, 

I wolde that day that youre Arveragus 

Wente over the see, that I, Aurelius, 970 

Hadde went ther nevere I sholde have come agayn. 

For wel I woot my servyce is in vayn. 

My gerdoun is but brestyng of myn herte. 

Madame, reweth upon my peynes smerte. 

For with a word ye may me sleen or save. 975 

Heere at your feet, God wolde that I were grave, 

I ne have as now no leyser moore to seye. 

Have mercy, sweete, or ye wol do me deye.'' 

She gan to looke upon Aurelius : 

''Is this youre wyl !" quod she, "and sey ye thus.^ 980 

"Nevere erst,'' quod she, "ne wiste I what ye mente. 

But now, Aurelie, I knowe youre entente. 

956 yong. 



THE FRANKELEYNS TALE 349 

By thilke God^ that yaf me soule and lyf^ 

Ne shal I nevere been untrewe wyf_, 

In word ne werk^ as fer as I have wit. 985 

I wol been his to whom that I am knyt. 

Taak this for fynal answere as of me/' 

But after that_, in pley thus seyde she^ 

"Aurelie/' quod she^ *'by heighe God above^ 

Yet wolde I graunte yow to been youre love^ 990 

Syn I yow se so pitously complayne. 

Looke^ what day that endelong Britayne 

Ye remoeve alle the rokkes^ stoon by stoon^ 

That they ne lette shipe ne boot to goon^ 

I seye^ whan ye han maad the coost so clene 995 

Of rokkes that ther nys no stoon ysene^ 

Thanne wol I love yow best of any man ! 

Have heer my trouthe in al that evere I kan/* 

"Is ther noon oother grace in yow ?'' quod he. 

''No^ by that lord^'' quod she^ **that maked me; 1000 

For wel I woot that it shal never bityde ; 

Lat swiche folies out of your herte slyde. 

What deyntee sholde a man han in his lyf 

For to go love another mannes wyf^ 

That hath hir body whan so that hym liketh?'' 1005 

Aurelius ful ofte soore siketh^ 

Wo was Aurelie^ whan that he this herde_, 

And with a sorweful herte he thus answerde. 

"Madame/' quod he^ "this were an inpossible; 

Thanne moot I dye of sodeyn deth horrible.'' 1010 

And with that word he turned hym anon. 

Tho coome hir othere freendes many oon^ 

And in the aleyes romeden up and doun^ 

And no thjng wiste of this conclusioun^ 

But sodeynly bigonne revel newe_, 1015 

Til that the brighte sonne loste his hewe^ 

For thorisonte hath reft the sonne his lyght — 

This is as muche to seye as^ it was nyght — 



350 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

And hoom they goon in j oye and in solas^ 

Save oonly wrecche Aurelius, alias! 1020 

He to his hous is goon with sorweful herte; 

He seeth he may nat fro his deeth asterte ; 

Hym semed that he felte his herte colde; 

Up to the hevene hise handes he gan holde^ 

And on hise knowes bare he sette hym doun^ 1025 

And in his ravyng seyde his orisoun. 

For verray wo out of his wit he breyde ; 

He nyste what he spak^ but thus he seyde : 

With pitous herte his pleynt hath he bigonne 

Unto the goddes^ and first unto the sonne 1030 

He seyde^ "Appollo^ God and governour 

Of every plaunte^ herbe^ tree^ and flour 

That yevest after thy declinacioun 

To ech of hem his tyme and his sesoun^ 

As thyn herberwe chaungeth lowe or heighe^ 1035 

Lord Phebus^ cast thy merciable eighe 

On wrecche Aurelie^ which that am but lorn. 

Lo^ lord^ my lady hath my deeth ysworn 

Withoute gilt^ but thy benignytee 

Upon my dedly herte have som pitee. 1040 

For wel I woot^ lord Phebus^ if yow lest^ 

Ye may me helpen^ save my lady^ best. 

Now voucheth sauf that I may yow devyse 

How that I may been holpen and in what wyse. 

Your blisful suster^ Lucina the sheene^ 1045 

That of the see is chief goddesse and queene^ 

(Though Neptunus have deitee in the see^ 

Yet emperisse aboven hym is she) 

Ye knowen wel^ lord^ that right as hir desir 

Is to be quyked and lightned of youre fir^ 1050 

For which she folweth yow ful bisily^ 

Right so the see desir eth naturelly 

To folwen hir^ as she that is goddesse 

1037 that om. 



THE FRANKELEYNS TALE 351 

Bothe in the see and ryveres moore and lesse. 

Wherfore^ lord Phebus^ this is my requeste; 1055 

Do this miracle^ or do myn herte breste^ 

That now next at this opposicioun 

Which in the signe shal be of the Leoun^ 

As preieth hir^ so greet a flood to brynge 

That fyve fadme at the leeste it oversprynge IO6O 

The hyeste rokke in Armorik Briteyne^ 

And lat this flood endure yeres tweyne. 

Thanne^ certes^ to my lady may I seye 

'Holdeth youre heste^ the rokkes been aweye.' 

Lord Phebus^ dooth this miracle for me^ 1065 

Preye hir she go no faster cours than ye. 

I seye^ preyeth your suster that she go 

No faster cours than ye thise yeres two. 

Thanne shal she been evene atte fuUe alway_, 

And spryng flood laste bothe nyght and day; 1070 

And but she vouche sauf in swich manere 

To graunte me my sovereyn lady de6re^ 

Prey hir to synken every rok adoun 

Into hir owene dirke regioun 

Under the ground ther Pluto dwelleth inne^ 1075 

Or nevere mo shal I my lady wynne. 

Thy temple in Delphos wol I barefoot seke_, 

Lord Phebus ; se the teeris on my cheke^ 

And of my peyne have som compassioun l" 

And with that word in swowne he fil adoun_, 1080 

And longe tyme he lay forth in a traunce. ^ 

His brother^ which that knew of his penaunce^ 

Up caughte hym^ and to bedde he hath hym broght. 

Dispe^^red in this torment and this thoght 

Lete I this woful creature lye; 1085 

Chese he for me wheither he woHyve or dye. 

Arveragus with heele and greet honour^ 
As he that was of chivalrie the flour^ 
Is comen hoom_, and othere worthy men. 



S52 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

O blisful artow now^ thou Dorigen ! 1090 

That hast thy lusty housbonde in thyne armes^ 

The fresshe knyght^ the worthy man of armes^ 

That loveth thee^ as his owene hertes lyf. 

No thyng list hym to been ymaginatyf 

If any wight hadde spoke^ whil he was oute^ 1095 

To hire of love ; he hadde of it no doute^ 

He noght entendeth to no swich mateere^ 

But daunceth^ justeth^ maketh hir good cheere^ 

And thus in joye and blisse I lete hem dwelle. 

And of the sike Aurelius I wol telle. 1100 

In langour and in torment furyus 

Two yeer and moore lay wrecehe Aurelyus, 

Er any foot he myghte on erthe gon; 

Ne confort in this tyme hadde he noon^ 

Save of his brother^ which that was a clerk. 1105 

He knew of al this wo and al this werk; 

For to noon oother creature^ certeyn^ 

Of this matere he dorste no word seyn. 

Under his brest he baar it moore secree 

Than evere dide Pamphilus for Galathee. 1110 

His brest was hool withoute for to sene^ 

But in his herte ay was the arwe kene. 

And wel ye knowe that of a sursanure 

In surgerye is perilous the cure^ 

But men myghte touche the arwe^ or come therby. 1115 

His brother weep and wayled pryvely, 

Til atte laste hym fil in remembraunce 

That whiles he was at Orliens in Fraunce^ 

As yonge clerkes^ that been lykerous. 

To reden artes that been curious^ 1120 

Seken in every halke and every heme 

Particular sciences for to lerne^ 

He hym remembred^ that upon a day 

At Orliens in studie a book he say 

1100 wol yow. 1120 artz. 



I 



THE FRANKELEYNS TALE 353 

Of magyk natureel^ which his felawe^ 1125 

That was that tyme a bacheler of lawe. — 

Al were he ther to lerne another craft — 

Hadde prively upon his desk ylaft; 

Which book spak muchel of the operaciouns^ 

Touchy nge the eighte and twenty mansiouns 1130 

That longen to the moone^ and swich folye 

As in oure dayes is nat worth a flye. 

For hooly chirches feith in oure bileve 

Ne suffreth noon illusioun us to greve. 

And whan this book was in his remembraunce^ 1135 

Anon for j oye his herte gan to daiince^ 

And to hymself he seyde pryvely^ 

"My brother shal be warisshed hastily; 

For I am siker that ther be sciences 

By whiche men make diverse apparences 1140 

Swiche as thise subtile tregetoures pleye; 

For ofte at feestes have I wel herd seye 

That tregetours withinne an halle large 

Have maad come in a water and a barge^ 

And in the halle rowen up and doun. 1145 

Somtyme hath semed come a grym leoun; 

And somtyme floures sprynge as in a mede^ 

Somtyme a vyne^ and grapes white and rede^ 

Somtyme a castel al of lym and stoon; 

And whan hem lyked, voyded it anoon^ 1150 

Thus semed it to every mannes sighte. 

Now thanne conclude I thus^ that if I myghte 

At Orliens som oold felawe yfynde 

That hadde this moones mansions in mynde_, 

Or oother magyk natureel above^, 1155 

He sholde wel make my brother han his love ; 

For with an apparence a clerk may make 

To mannes sighte^ that alle the rokkes blake 

Of Britaigne weren yvoyded everichon_, 

1141 tregetours. 1150 hem hym. 



354 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

And shippes by the brynke comen and gon, 1 1 60 

And in swich forme enduren a wowke or two ; 
Thanne were my brother warisshed of his wo ; 
Thanne moste she nedes holden hir biheste^ 
Or elles he shal shame hir atte leeste/' 

What sholde I make a lenger tale of this? 1165 

Unto his brotheres bed he comen is^ 
And swich confort he yaf hym for to gon 
To Orliens^ that he up stirte anon 
And on his wey forthward thanne is he f are^ 
In hope for to been lissed of his care. 1170 

Whan they were come almoost to that citee^ 
But if it were a two furlong or thre^ 
A yong clerk romynge by hymself they mette 
Which that in Latyn thriftily hem grette^ 
And after that he seyde a wonder thyng. 1175 

*'I knowe/' quod he^ "the cause of youre comyng/' 
And er they ferther any foote wente^ 
He tolde hem al that was in hire entente ! 
This Briton clerk hym asked of felawes^ 
The whiche that he had knowe in olde dawes; 1180 

And he answerde hym that they dede were^ 
For which he weep ful ofte many a teere. 
Doun of his hors Aurelius lighte anon^ 
And with this magicien forth is he gon 

Hoom to his hous^ and maden hem wel at ese; 1185 

IJem lakked no vitaille that myghte hem plese^ 
So wel arrayed hous as ther was oon^ 
Aurelius in his lyf saugh nevere noon. 
He shewed hym^ er he wente to sopeer^ 

Forestes^ parkes ful of wilde deer^ 1190 

Ther saugh he hertes with hir homes hye^ 
The gretteste that evere were seyn with eye, 
He saugh of hem an hondred slayn with houndes, 
And somme with arwes blede of bittre woundes. 
He saugh^ whan voyded were thise wilde deer^ 1195 



I 



ii 



THE FRANKELEYNS TALE S55 

Thise fauconers upon a fair ryver^ 
That with hir haukes han the heroun slayn. 
Tho saugh he knyghtes justyng in a playn; 
And after this he dide hym swich plesaunce_, 
That he hym shewed his lady on a daunce 1200 

On which hymself he daunced^ as hym thoughte. 
And whan this maister that this magyk wroughte 
Saugh it was tyme^ he clapte hise handes two^ 
And f arewel ! al oure revel was ago ! — 

And yet remoeved they never e out of the hous^ 1205 

Whil they saugh al this sighte merveillous^ 
But in his studie_, ther as hise bookes be^ 
They seten stille^ and no wight but they thre. 
To hym this maister called his squier^ 

And seyde hym thus_, "Is redy oure soper? 1210 

Almoost an houre it is^ I undertake_, 
Sith I yow bad oure soper for to make^ 
Whan that thise worthy men wenten with me 
Into my studie^ ther as my bookes bd." 

''Sire/' quod this Squier^ "whan it liketh yow^ 1215 

It is al redy^ though ye wol right now." 
"Go we thanne soupe/' quod he^ "as for the beste^ 
This amorous folk som tyme moote han hir reste." 
At after soper fille they in tretee^ 

What somme sholde this maistres gerdoun be^ 1220 

To remoeven alle the rokkes of Britayne^ 
And eek from Gerounde to the mouth of Sayne. 
He made it straunge^ and swoor^ so God hym save^ 
Lasse than a thousand pound he wolde nat have^ 
^Ne gladly for that somme he wolde nat goon. 1225 

Aurelius with blisful herte anoon 
Answerde thus^ "Fy on a thousand pound ! 
This wyde worlds which that men seye is rounds 
I wolde it yeve^ if I were lord of it. 

This bargayn is ful dryve^ for we been knyt; 1230 

Ye shal be payed trewely^ by my trouthe. 



S56 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

But looketh now for no necligence or slouthe 

Ye tarie us heere^ no lenger than to-morwe." 

''IS^aj/' quod this clerk_, *'have heer my feith to borwe." 

To bedde is goon Aurelius whan hym leste^ 1235 

And wel ny al that nyght he hadde his reste; 

What for his labour and his hope of blisse^ 

His woful herte of penaunce hadde a lisse. 

Upon the morwe^ whan that it was day_, 

To Britaigne tooke they the righte way^ 1240 

Aurelie and this magicien bisyde^ 

And been descended ther they wolde abyde. 

And this was^ as thise bookes me remembre^ 

The eolde frosty sesoun of Decembre. 

Phebus wax old^ and hewed lyk latoun^ 1245 

That in his hoote declynacioun 
Shoon as the burned gold^ with stremes brighte; 
But now in Capricorn adoun he lighte. 
Where as he shoon ful pale^ I dar wel seyn. 
The bittre frostes^ with the sleet and reyn^ 1250 

Destroyed hath the grene in every yerd; 
Janus sit by the fyr^ with double berd^ 
And drynketh of his bugle horn the wyn. 
Biforn hym stant brawen of the tusked swyn^ 
And 'NoweF crieth every lusty man. 1255 

Aurelius^ in al that evere he kan^ 
Dooth to his master chiere and reverence^ 
And preyeth hym to doon his diligence 
To bryngen hym out of his peynes smerte^ 
Or with a.swerd that he wolde slitte his herte. 1260 

This subtil clerk swich routhe had of this man^ , 

That nyght and day he spedde hym that he kan 
To wayten a tyme of his conclusioun^ 
This is to seye^ to maken illusioun 

By swich an apparence or jogelrye — ' 1265 

I ne kan no termes of astrologye — 

1241 Aurelius. 



fi 



THE FRANKELEYNS TALE 357 

That she and every wight sholde wene and seye 

That of Britaigne the rokkes were aweye^ 

Or ellis they were sonken under grounde. 

So atte laste he hath his tyme yfounde 1270 

To maken hise japes and his wrecchednesse 

Of swich a supersticious cursednesse. 

Hise tables ToUetanes forth he brought^ 

Ful wel corrected, ne ther lakked nought, 

Neither his collect ne hise expans yeeris, 1275 

Ne hise rootes, ne hise othere geeris, 

As been his centris and hise argumentz, 

And hise proporcioneles convenientz 

For hise equacions in every thyng. 

And by his eighte speere in his wirkyng 1280 

He knew ful wel how fer Alnath was shove 

Fro the heed of thilke iixe Aries above 

That in the ninthe speere considered is. 

Ful subtilly he kalkuled al this. 

Whan he hadde founde his firste mansioun, 1285 

He knew the remenaunt by proporcioun, 
And knew the arisyng of his moone weel. 
And in whos face and terme, and everydeel ; 
And knew ful weel the moones mansioun 
Acordaunt to his operacioun, 1290 

And knew also hise othere observaunces 
For swiche illusiouns and swiche meschaunces 
As hethen folk useden in thilke dayes ; — 
For which no lenger maked he delayes, 

But thurgh his magik, for a wyke or tweye, 1295 

It semed that alle the rokkes were aweye. 
Aurelius, which that yet despeired is, 
Wher he shal han his love, or fare amys, 
Awaiteth nyght and day on this myracle. 
And whan he knew that ther was noon obstacle, 1300 

That voyded were thise rokkes everychon, 

1284 he hadde. 



358 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Doun to hise maistres feet he fil anon^ 

And seyde^ "I woful wrecche^ Aurelius^ 

Thanke jow, lord^ and lady myn^ Venus^ 

That me han holpen fro my cares colde/' 1305 

And to the temple his wey forth hath he holde 

Where as he knew he sholde his lady see^ 

And whan he saugh his tyme, anon right hee 

With dredful herte and with ful humble cheere 

Salewed hath his sovereyn lady deere. 1310 

''My righte lady^" quod this woful man^ 

''Whom I moost drede and love as I best kan^ 

And lothest were of al this world displese^ 

Nere it that I for yow have swich disese 

That I moste dyen heere at youre foot anon^ 1315 

Noght wolde I telle how me is wo bigon; 

But^ certes^ outher moste I dye or pleyne^ 

Ye sle me giltelees for verray peyne. 

But of my deeth thogh that ye have no routhe^ 

Avyseth yow er that ye breke youre trouthe. 1320 

Repenteth yow for thilke God above^ 

Er ye me sleen by cause that I yow love. 

For madame^ wel ye woot what ye han hight; 

Nat that I chalange any thyng of right 

Of yow^ my sovereyn lady^ but youre grace; 1325 

But in a gardyn yond at swich a place 

Ye woot right wel what ye bihighten me, 

And in myn hand youre trouthe plighten ye 

To love me best, God woot ye seyde so, 

Al be that I unworthy be therto. 1330 

Madame, I speke it for the honour of yow, 

Moore than to save myn hertes lyf right now. 

I have do so as ye comanded me. 

And if ye vouchesauf, ye may go see. 

Dooth as yow list, have youre biheste in mynde, 1335 

For, quyk or deed, right there ye shal me fynde. 

1318 giltlees. 



1 



THE FRANKELEYNS TALE 359 

In yow lith al^ to do me lyve or deye^ 
But wel I woot the rokkes been aweye !" 

He taketh his leve^ and she astonied stood^ 
In al hir face nas a drope of blood. 1340 

She wende nevere han come in swich a trappe. 
"Allas^" quod she^ *'that evere this sholde happe. ^ 
For wende I nevere^ by possibilitee^ 
That swich a monstre or merveille myghte be. 
It is agayns the proces of nature." 1345 

And hoom she goth a sorweful creature^ 
For verray feere unnethe may she go. 
She wepeth^ wailleth^ al a day or two_, 
And swowneth that it routhe was to see ; 

But why it was^ to no wight tolde shee^ 1350 

For out of towne was goon Arveragus. 
But to hirself she spak_, and seyde thus^ 
With face pale and with ful sorweful cheere. 
In hire compleynt^ as ye shal after heere^ 
*'Allas !" quod she^ "on thee^ Fortune I pleyne^ 1355 

That unwar wrapped hast me in thy cheyne; 
For which tescape woot I no socour 
Save oonly deeth or elles dishonour; 
Oon of thise two bihoveth me to chese. 

But natheless^ yet have I levere to lese 1360 

My lif^ than of my body have a shame. 
Or knowe myselven fals or lese my name, 
And with my deth I may be quy t, ywis ; 
Hath ther nat many a noble wyf, er this 

And many a mayde yslayn hirself, alias, 1365 

Rather than with hir body doon trespas ? 
Yis, certes, lo, thise stories beren witnesse. 
Whan thritty tirauntz, ful of cursednesse, 
Hadde slayn Phidoun in Atthenes, at feste. 
They comanded hise doghtres for tareste^ 1370 

And bryngen hem biforn hem in despit, 

1357 scour. 1358 elles om. 



360 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Al naked^ to f ulfille hir foul delit^ 

And in hir fadres blood they made hem daunce 

Upon the pavement^ God yeve hem myschaunce; 

For which thise woful maydens ful of drede^ 1375 

Rather than they wolde lese hir maydenhede, 

They prively been stirt into a welle 

And dreynte hemselven^ as the bookes telle. 

They of Mecene leete enquere and seke 

Of Lacedomye fifty maydens eke^ 1380 

On whiche they wolden doon hir leeherye; 

But was ther noon of al that compaignye 

That she nas slayn^ and with a good entente 

Chees rather for to dye than assente 

To been oppressed of hir maydenhede. 1385 

Why sholde I thanne to dye been in drede ? 

Lo^ eek the tiraunt Aristoclides^ 

That loved a mayden heet Stymphalides^ 

Whan that hir fader slayn was on a nyght^ 

Unto Dianes temple goth she rights 1390 

And hente the ymage in hir handes two; 

Fro which ymage wolde she nevere go^ 

No wight ne myghte hir handes of it arace^ 

Til she was slayn right in the selve place. 

Now sith that maydens hadden swich despite 1395 

To been defouled with mannes foul delit^ 

Wei oghte a wyf rather hirselven slee^ 

Than be defouled^ as it thynketh me. 

What shal I seyn of Hasdrubales wyf 

That at Cartage birafte hirself hir lyf .^ 1400 

For whan she saugh that Romayns wan the toun, 

She took hir children alle and skipte adoun 

Into the fyr^ and chees rather to dye 

Than any Romayn dide hir vileynye. 

Hath nat Lucresse yslayn hirself^ alias, 1405 

At Rome whan that she oppressed was 

1406 that om. 



THE FRANKELEYNS TALE 361 

Of Tarquyn^ for hir thoughte it was a shame 

To lyven whan she hadde lost hir name? 

The sevene maydens of Melesie also 

Han slayn hemself^ for verray drede and wo 1410 

Rather than folk of Gawle hem sholde oppresse. 

Mo than a thousand stories^ as I gesse^ 

Koude I now telle as touchynge this mateere. 

Whan Habradate was slayn^ his wyf so deere 

Hirselven slow^ and leet hir blood to glyde 1415 

In Habradates woundes depe and wyde; 

And seyde^ "My body at the leeste way 

Ther shal no wight defoulen^ if I may/' 

What sholde I mo ensamples heer of sayn ? 

Sith that so manye han hemselven slayn^ 1420 

Wei rather than they wolde de fouled be^ 

I wol conclude that it is bet for me 

To sleen myself^ than been defouled thus. 

I wol be trewe unto Arveragus^ 

Or rather sleen myself in som manere^ 1425 

As dide Demociones doghter deere^ 

By cause that she wolde nat defouled be. 

O Cedasus^ it is ful greet pitee 

To reden how thy doghtren deyde^ allas^ 

That slowe hemself^ for swich manere cas ! 1430 

As greet a pitee was it^ or wel moore_, 

The Theban mayden^ that for Nichanore 

Hirselven slow right for swich manere wo. 

Another Theban mayden dide right so; 

For oon of Macidonye hadde hire oppressed^ 1435 

She with hire deeth hir maydenhede redressed. 

What shal I seye of Nicerates wyf^ 

That for swich cas birafte hirself hir lyf .^ 

How trewe eek was to Alcebiades 

His love that rather for to dyen chees 1440 

Than for to suifre his body unburyed be. 

1408 had. 1440 that om. 



S62 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Lo^ which a wyf was Alceste/' quod she^ 

"What seith Omer of goode Penalopee? 

Al Grece knoweth of hire chastitee. 

Pardee of Lacedomya is writen thus^ 1445 

That whan at Troie was slayn Protheselaus^ 

No lenger wolde she lyve after his day. 

The same of noble Porcia telle I may^ 

Withoute Brutus koude she nat lyve^ 

To whom she hadde al hool hir herte yeve. 1450 

The parfit wyfhod of Arthemesie 

Honured is thurgh al the Barbarie. 

Teuta queene^ thy wyfly chastitee 
To alle wyves may a mirour bee ! 

The same thyng I seye of Bilyea^ 1455 

Of Rodogone^ and eek Valeria." 

Thus pleyned Dorigene a day or tweye^ 

Purposynge evere that she wolde deye. 

But nathelees^ upon the thridde nyght 
Hoom cam x\rveragus^ this worthy knyght^ 1460 

And asked hir why that she weep so soore. 
And she gan wepen ever lenger the moore. 
* 'Alias \" quod she^ ''that evere I was born. 
Thus have I seyd/' quod she^ "thus have I sworn;'' 
And toold hym al as ye han herd bifore^ 1465 

It nedeth nat reherce it yow namoore. 
This housbonde with glad chiere in freendly wyse 
Answerde and seyde^ as I shal yow devyse^ 
"Is ther oght elles Dorigen^ but this.^" 

"Nay^ nsij/' quod she^ "God helpe me so^ as wys^ 1470 

This is to muche^ and it were Goddes wille." 
"Ye^ wyf/' quod he^ "lat slepen that is stille. 
It may be wel paraventure yet to-day. 
Ye shul youre trouthe holden^ by my fay. 
For God so wisly have mercy upon me^ 1475 

1 hadde wel levere ystiked for to be 

1457 pleyne. 



THE FRANKELEYNS TALE S6S 

For verray love which that I to yow have^ 

But if ye sholde your trouthe kepe and save. 

Trouthe is the hyeste thyng that man may kepe/' 

But with that word he brast anon to wepe 1480 

And seyde^ "I yow forbede^ up peyne of deeth, 

That nevere whil thee lasteth lyf ne breeth^ 

To no wight telle thou of this aventure ; 

As I may best^ I wol my wo endure. 

Ne make no contenanee of hevynesse, 1485 

That folk of yow may demen harm or gesse." 

And forth he cleped a squier and a mayde; 

*'Gooth forth anon with Dorigen_," he sayde^ 

*'And bryngeth hir to swich a place anon^" 

They take hir leve^ and on hir wey they gon^ 1490 

But they ne wiste why she thider wente^ 

He nolde no wight tellen his entente. 

Par a venture^ an heep of yow^ ywis^ 

Wol holden hym a lewed man in this^ 

That he wol putte his wyf in jupartie. 1495 

Her^kneth the tale er ye upon hire crie; 

She may have bettre fortune than yow semeth. 

And whan that ye han herd the tale^ demeth. 

This squier^ which that highte Aurelius^ 
On Dorigen that was so amorus^ 1500 

Of aventure happed hir to meete 
Amydde the toun^ right in the quykkest strete_, 
As she was bown to goon the wey forth-right 
Toward the gardyn_, ther as she had hight. 
And he was to the gardynward also^ 1505 

For wel he spyed whan she wolde go 
Out of hir hous to any maner place. 
But thus they mette^ of aventure or grace 
And he saleweth hir with glad entente. 

And asked of hir whiderward she wente. 1510 

And she answerde^, half as she were mad, 

1481 of om. 



S64 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

**Unto the gardyn as myn housbonde bad^ 

My trouthe for to holde^ alias ! alias !" 

Aurelius gan wondren on this cas^ 

And in his herte hadde greet compassioun 1515 

Of hir and of hir lamentacioun_, 

And of Arveragus^ the worthy knyght^ 

That bad hire holden al that she had hight^ 

So looth hym was his wyf sholde breke hir trouthe ; 

And in his herte he caughte of this greet routhe^ 1520 

Considerynge the beste on every syde 

That fro his lust yet were hym levere abyde 

Than doon so heigh a cherlyssh wrecchednesse 

Agayns franchise and alle gentillesse. — 

For which in fewe wordes seyde he thus: 1525 

"Madame^ seyeth to your lord Arveragus^ 

That sith I se his grete gentillesse 

To yow^ and eek I se wel youre distresses 

That him were levere han shame — and that were routhe — 

Than ye to me sholde breke thus youre trouthe^ 1530 

I have wel levere evere to sufFre wo 

Than I departe the love bitwix yow two. 

I yow relesse^ madame^ into youre hond 

Quyt every surement and every bond^ 

That ye han maad to me as heer biforn^ 1535 

Sith thilke tyme which that ye were born. 

My trouthe I plighte^ I shal yow never repreve 

Of no biheste^ and heere I take my leve. 

As of the treweste and the beste wyf 

That evere yet I knew in al my lyf. 1540 

But every wyf be war of hir biheeste^ 

On Dorigene remembreth atte leeste ! 

Thus kan a squier doon a gentil dede 

As wel as kan a knyght_, withouten drede.'' 

She thonketh hym upon hir knees al bare^ 1545 

And hoom unto hir housbonde is she fare^ 

And tolde hym al^ as ye han herd me sayd; 



II 



THE FRANKELEYNS TALE S65 

And be ye siker^ he was so weel apayd 
That it were inpossible me to wryte. 

What sholde I lenger of this cas endyte? 1550 

Arveragus and Dorigene his wyf 
In sovereyn blisse leden forth hir lyf^ 
Nevere eft ne was ther angre hem bitwene. 
He cherisseth hir as though she were a queene^ 
And she was to hym trewe for everemoore. — 1555 

Of thise two folk ye gete of me namoore. 
Aurelius_, that his cost hath al forlorn 
Curseth the tyme that evere he was born. 
**Allas_," quod he^ "allas^ that I bihighte 

Of pured gold a thousand pound of wighte 1560 

Unto this philosophre ! how shal I do ? 
I se namoore but that I am fordo; 
Myn heritage moot I nedes selle 
And been a beggere; heere may I nat dwelle. 
And shamen al my kynrede in this place_, 1565 

But I of hym may gete bettre grace. 
But nathelees I wole of hym assaye 
At certeyn dayes yeer by yeer to paye_, 
And thanke hym of his grete curteisye ; 

My trouthe wol I kepe^ I wol nat lye.'' 1570 

With herte soor he gooth unto his cofre^. 
And broghte gold unto this philosophre 
The value of fyve hundred pounds I gesse^ 
And hym bisecheth of his gentillesse 

To graunte hym dayes of the remenaunt^ 1575 

And seyde_, ''Maister^ I dar wel make avaunt^ 
I failled nevere of my trouthe as yit. 
For sikerly my dette shal be quyt 
Towardes yow^ how evere that I fare^ 

To goon a begged in my kirtle bare! 1580 

But wolde ye vouche sauf upon seuretee 
Two yeer or thre^ for to respiten me_, 

1556 tico om. 



366 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Thanne were I wel^ for elles moot I sella 

Myn heritage^ ther is namoore to telle/' 

This philosophre sobrely answerde^ 1585 

And seyde thus^ whan he thise wordes herde^ 

'*Have I nat holden covenant unto thee?'' 

*'Yes^ certes^ wel and trewely/' quod he. 

"Hastow nat had thy lady^ as thee liketh?'' 

*'No^ no/' quod he^ and sorwefuUy he siketh. 1590 

*'What was the eause^ tel me if thou kan?" 

Aurelius his tale anon bigan_, 

And tolde hym al, as ye han herd bifoore^ 

It nedeth nat to yow reheree it moore. 

He seide^ Arveragus of gentillesse 1595 

Hadde levere dye in sorwe and in distresse 

Than his wyf were of hir trouthe f als ; 

The sorwe of Dorigen he tolde hym als^ 

How looth hir was to been a wikked wyf_, 

And that she levere had lost that day hir lyf^ l600 

And that hir trouthe she swoor^ thurgh innocence^ 

She nevere erst hadde herd speke of apparence. 

"That made me han of hir so greet pitee; 

And right as frely as he sente hir me^ 

As frely sente I hir to hym ageyn. 1605 

This al and som_, ther is namoore to seyn." 

This philosophre answerde^ "Leeve brother^ 

Everich of yow dide gentilly til oother. 

Thou art a squier^ and he is a knyght; 

But God forbede^ for his blisful myght^ 1610 

But if a clerk koude doon a gentil dede 

As wel as any of yow^ it is no drede. 

Sire^ I releesse thee thy thousand pound^ 

As thou right now were cropen out of the ground,, 

Ne nevere er now ne haddest knowen me; l6l5 

For^ sire^ I wol nat taken a peny of thee 

For al my crafty ne noght for my travaille. 

Thou hast ypayed wel for my vitaille^ 



THE FRANKELEYNS TALE 367 

It is ynogh^ and farewel^ have good day." 

And took his hors_, and forth he goth his way. 1620 

Lordynges^ this questioun wolde I aske now^ 
Which was the mooste fre_, as thynketh yow? 
Now telleth me^ er that ye ferther wende, 
I kan namoore_, my tale is at an ende. 

1621 thanne wol. 

Heere is ended the Franheleyns tale. 



GROUP G. 



THE SECONDE NONNES TALE 

The Prologe of the Seconde Nonnes Tale, 

The ministre and the norice unto vices^ 

Which that men clepe in Englissh ydelnesse^ 

That porter of the gate is of delices^ 

To eschue^ and by hir contrarie hir oppresse, 

(That is to seyn by leveful bisynesse)^ 5 

Wei oghten we to doon al oure entente_, 

Lest that the f eend thurgh ydelnesse us shente. 

For he^ that with hise thousand cordes slye 

Continuelly us waiteth to biclappe^ 

Whan he may man in ydelnesse espye^ 10 

He kan so lightly cacche hym in his trappe^ 

Til that a man be hent right by the lappe_5 

He nys nat war the feend hath hym in honde. 

Wei oghte us werche^ and ydelnesse withstonde. 

And though men dradden nevere for to dye^ . 15 

Yet seen men wel by resoun^ doutelees^ 

That ydelnesse is roten slogardye^ 

Of which ther nevere comth no good encrees 

And seen that slouthe hir holdeth in a lees^ 

Oonly to slepe^ and for to ete and drynke^ 20 

And to devouren al that othere swynke. 

And for to putte us fro swich ydelnesse^ 
That cause is of so greet confusioun^ 
I have heer doon my feithful bisynesse^ 

18 nencrees. 19 hir it. 



THE SECONDE NONNES TALE 369 

After the legende^ in translacioun 25 

Right of thy glorious lif and passioun_, 

Thou with thy gerland wroght with rose and lilie^ 

Thee meene I^ mayde and martir^ seint Cecilie. 

Invocacio ad Mariam, 

And thow that flour of virgines art alle^ 

Of whom that Bernard list so wel to write^ 30 

To thee at my bigynnyng first I calle_, 

Thou confort of us wrecches_, do me endite 

Thy maydens deeth^ that wan thurgh hir merite 

The eterneel lyf^ and of the feend victorie^ 

As man may after reden in hir storie, 85 

Thow mayde and mooder^ doghter of thy sone^ 

Thow welle of mercy^ synful soules cure_, 

In whom that God for bountee chees to wone^ 

Thow humble and heigh^ over every creature 

Thow nobledest so ferforth oure nature^ 40 

That no desdeyn the makere hadde of kynde^ 

His sone in blood and flessh to clothe and wynde. 

Withinne the cloistre blisful of thy sydis 

Took mannes shape the eterneel love and pees^ 

That of the tryne compas lord and gyde is^ 45 

Whom erthe and see and hevene out of relees 

Ay heryen^ and thou^ virgine wemmelees^ 

Baar of thy body^ and dweltest may den pure^ 

The creatour of every creature. 

Assembled is in thee magnificence 50 

With mercy^ goodnesse^ and with swich pitee 
That thou^ that art the sonne of excellence, 
Nat oonly helpest hem that preyen thee_, 

28 martir seint mooder. 



370 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

But oftentyme^ of thy benygnytee^ 

Ful frely^ er that men thyn help biseche^ 55 

Thou goost biforn^ and art hir lyves leche. 

Now help^ thow meeke and blisful faire mayde, 

Me^ flemed wrecche in this desert of galle ; 

Thynk on the womman Cananee^ that sayde 

That whelpes eten somme of the crommes alle^ 60 

That from hir lordes table been yfalle^ 

And though that I^ unworthy sone^ of Eve^ 

Be synful^ yet accepte my bileve. 

And for that feith is deed withouten werkis^ 

So for to werken yif me wit and space^ 65 

That I be quit fro thennes that moost derk is. 

O thou^ that art so fair and ful of grace^ 

Be myn advocat in that heighe place 

Theras withouten ende is songe Osanne^ 

Thow Cristes mooder^ doghter deere of Anne ! 70 

And of thy light my soule in prison lighte^ 
That troubled is by the contagioun 
Of my body^ and also by the wighte 
Of erthely lust and fals afFeccioun^ 

havene of refut^ O salvacioune 75 
Of hem that been in sorwe and in distresses 

Now helps for to my werk I wol me dresse. 

Yet preye I yow that reden that I write^ 

Foryeve me_, that I do no diligence 

This ilke storie subtilly to endite^ 80 

For bothe have I the wordes and sentence 

Of hym that at the seintes reverence 

The storie wroot^ and folwe hir legende. 

1 pray yow^ that ye wole my werk amende. 

^cf. Glossary. 
83 folwen. 



THE SECONDE NONNES TALE 371 

First wolde I yow the name of seinte Cecile 85 

Expowne_, as men may in hir storie see. interpretacio nom- 

. . T.^. , inis Cecilie quam 

It is to seye m Englissn^ nevenes lilie ponit frater Jaco- 

p . bus Januensis in 

Jbor pure cnaastnesse oi virginitee., legendo 

Or for she whitnesse hadde of honestee 

And grene of conscience^ and of good fame 90 

The soote savour^ lilie was hir name. 

Or Cecilie is to seye^ 'the wey to blynde/ 

For she ensample was by good techynge; 

Or elles^ Cecile^ as I writen fynde 

Is joyned by a manere conjoynynge 95 

Of *hevene' and 'lia/ and heere in figurynge 

The 'hevene' is set for thoght of hoolynesse_, 

And *lia' for hir lastynge bisynesse. 

Cecile may eek be seyd^ in this manere^ 

'Wantynge of blyndnesse^' for hir grete light 100 

Of sapience^ and for hire thewes cleere 

Or elles^ loo^ this maydens name bright 

Of 'hevene' and leos' comth_, for which by right 

Men myghte hir wel *the hevene of peple' calle^ 

Ensample of goode and wise werkes alle. 105 

For leos' 'peple' in Englissh is to seye_, 

And right as men may in the hevene see 

The Sonne and moone and sterres every weye^ 

Right so men goostly^ in this mayden free^ 

Syen of feith the magnanymytee^ 110 

And eek the cleernesse hool of sapience^ 

And sondry werkes^ brighte of excellence. 

iind right so as thise philosophres write 

That hevene is swift and round and eek brennynge^ 

Right so was faire Cecilie the white 115 

Ful swift and bisy evere in good werkynge^ 

85 yoic om. 



372 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

And round and hool in good perseverynge^ 
And brennynge evere in charite ful brighte. 
Now have I yow declared what she highte. 

Here higynneth the Seconde Nonnes tale of the lyf of 
Seinte Cecile, 

This mayden^ bright Cecilie^ as hir lif seith^ 120 

Was comen of Romayns^ and of noble kynde^ 

And from hir cradel up fostred in the feith 

Of Crista and bar his gospel in hir mynde. 

She nevere cessed^ as I writen fynde^ 

Of hir preyere_, and God to love and drede^ 125 

Bisekynge hym to kepe hir maydenhede. 

And whan this mayden sholde unto a man 

Ywedded be^ that was ful yong of age^ 

Which that ycleped was Valerian^ 

And day was comen of hir marriage^ 130 

She^ ful devout and humble in hir corage^ 

Under hir robe of gold^ that sat ful faire^ 

Hadde next hir flessh yclad hir in an haire. 

And whil the orgnes maden melodic^ 

To God allone in herte thus sang she: 135 

''O Lord^ my soule and eek my body gye 

Unwemmed^ lest that I confounded be/' 

And for his love that dyde upon a tree^ 

Every seconde and thridde day she f aste^ 

Ay biddynge in hir orisons ful faste. 140 

The nyght cam^ and to bedde moste she gon 
With hir housbonde^ as ofte is the manere, 
And pryvely to hym she seyde anon^ 
''O sweete and wel biloved spouse deere^ 

134 orgues. 137 it. 



THE SECONDS NONNES TALE 373 

Ther is a conseil^ and ye wolde it heere^ 145 

Which that right fayn I wolde unto yow seye^ 
So that ye swere ye shul me nat biwreye/' 

Valerian gan faste unto hire swere 

That for no cas^ ne thyng that myghte be^ 

He sholde nevere mo biwreyen here^ 150 

And thanne at erst to hym thus seyde she^ 

"I have an Aungel which that loveth me^ 

That with greet love^ wher so I wake or sleepe^ 

Is redy ay my body for to kepe. 

And if that he may feelen out of drede 155 

That ye me touche^ or love in vileynye^ 

He right anon wol sle yow with the dede^ 

And in youre yowthe thus ye sholden dye. 

And if that ye in clene love me gye^ 

He wol yow loven as me for youre clennesse^ l60 

And shewen yow his joye and his brightnesse/' 

Valerian^ corrected as God wolde^ 

Answerde agayn^ ''If I shal trusten thee^ 

Lat me that aungel se^ and hym biholde^ 

And if that it a verray angel bee^ l65 

Thanne wol I doon as thou hast prayed me; 

And if thou love another man_, forsothe 

Right with this swerd thanne wol I sle yow bothe/' 

Cecile answerde anon right in this wise^ 

"If that yow list^ the angel shul ye see^ 170 

So that ye trowe in Crista and yow baptize. 

Gooth forth to Via Apia/' quod shee^ 

''That fro this toun ne stant but miles three; 

And to the povre folkes that ther dwelle 

Sey hem right thus as that I shal yow telle. 175 

155 tJiat ovi. 



374 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Telle hem^ that I Ceeile yow to hem sente^ 

To shewen yow the goode Urban the olde^ 

For secree thynges and for good entente ; 

And whan that ye Seint Urban han biholde^ 

Telle hym the wordes whiche that I to yow tolde, 180 

And whan that he hath purged yow fro synne^ 

Thanne shul ye se that angel er ye twynne." 

Valerian is to the place ygon^ 

And right as hym was taught by his lernynge^ 

He foond this hooly olde Urban anon 185 

Among the seintes buryeles lotynge. 

And he anon^ withouten tariynge^ 

Dide his message^ and whan that he it tolde^ 

Urban for joye his handes gan up holde. 

The teeris from hise eyen leet he falle. 190 

''Almyghty lord^ O Jesu Crista" quod he^ 

''Sower of chaast conseil^ hierde of us alle^ 

The f ruyt of thilke seed of chastitee 

That thou hast sowe in Ceeile^ taak to thee. 

Lo^ lyk a bisy bee^ withouten gile^ 195 

Thee serveth ay thyn owene thral Ceeile ! 

For thilke spouse that she took but now 

Ful lyk a fiers leoun^ she sendeth heere 

As meke as evere was any lomb^ to yow/' 

And with that word anon ther gan appeere 200 

An oold man clad in white clothes cleere^ 

That hadde a book with lettre of gold in honde^ 

And gan bif ore Valerian to stonde. 

Valerian as deed fil doun for drede 

Whan he hym saugh^ and he up hente hym tho^ 205 

And on his book right thus he gan to rede^ 

197 but right. 



THE SECONDS NONNES TALE 375 

''O lord^ o feith^ o god, withouten mo^ 

Cristendom^ and fader of alle also^ 
Aboven alle^ and over alle^ everywhere. — " 

Thise wordes al with gold ywriten were. 210 

Whan this was rad_, thanne seyde this olde man^ 

''Leevestow this thyng or no? sey ye or nay.^'' 

"I leeve al this thyng/' quod Valerian^ 

'Tor oother thyng than this^ I dar wel say. 

Under the hevene no wight thynke may.'' 215 

Tho vanysshed this olde man, he nyste where ; 

And Pope Urban hym eristned right there. 

Valerian gooth hoom, and fynt Cecilie 

Withinne his chambre with an angel stonde. 

This angel hadde of roses and of lilie 220 

Cor ones two, the whiche he bar in honde; 

And first to Cecile, as I understonde. 

He yaf that oon, and after gan he take 

That oother to Valerian hir make. 

"With body clene and with unwemmed thoght 225 

Kepeth ay wel thise corones," quod he, 

''Fro Paradys to yow have I hem broght, 

Ne nevere mo ne shal they roten bee, 

Ne lese hir soote savour, trusteth me, 

Ne nevere wight shal seen hem with his eye 280 

But he be chaast and hate vileynye. 

And thow Valerian, for thow so soone 

Assentedest to good conseil also, 

Sey what thee list, and thou shalt han thy boone." 

"I have a brother," quod Valerian tho, 235 

"That in this world I love no man so. 

1 pray yow that my brother may han grace. 
To knowe the trouthe, as I do in this place." 

209 and om. 226 quod he thre. 



376 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

The angel seyde^ ''God liketh thy requeste^ 

And bothe with the palm of martirdom 240 

Ye shuUen come unto his blisful feste/' 

And with that word Tiburce his brother coom; 

And whan that he the savour undernoom^ 

Which that the roses and the lilies caste^ 

Withinne his herte he gan to wondre faste^ 245 

And seyde^ ''I wondre^ this tyme of the yeer^ 

Whennes that soote savour cometh so 

Of rose and lilies that I smelle heer. 

For though I hadde hem in myne handes two^ 

The savour myghte in me no depper go^ 250 

The sweete smel that in myn herte I fynde 

Hath chaunged me al in another kynde/' 

Valerian seyde^ "Two corones han we^ 

Snow-white and rose-reed that shynen cleere^ 

Whiche that thyne eyen han no myght to see^ 255 

And as thou smellest hem thurgh my preyere^ 

So shaltow seen hem^ leeve brother deere, 

If it so be thou wolt^ withouten slouthe^ 

Bileve aright and knowen verray trouthe/' 

Tiburce answerde^ ''Seistow this to me? 260 

In soothnesse or in dreem I herkne this ?'' 
''In dremes^" quod Valerian_, "han we be 
Unto this tyme_, brother myn_, y wis ; 
But now at erst in trouthe oure dwellyng is/' 
."How woostow this/' quod Tiburce^ "in what wyse?" 265 
Quod Valerian^ "That shal I thee devyse. 

The aungel of God hath me the 4:routhe ytaught 

Which thou shalt seen^ if that thou wolt reneye 

The y doles and be clene^ and elles naught." 

And of the myracle of thise corones tweye 270 

267 the om. 



THE SECONDE NONNES TALE 377 

Seint Ambrose in his preface list to seye. 
Solempnely this noble doctour deere 
Commendeth it^ and seith in this manere; 

The palm of martirdom for to receyve 

Seinte Cecile^ fulfild of Goddes yifte^ 275 

The world and eek hire chambre gan she weyve^ 

Witnesse Tyburces and Valerians shrifte^ 

To whiche God of his bountee wolde shifte 

Corones two^ of floures wel smellynge_, 

And made his angel hem the corones brynge. 280 

The mayde hath broght thise men to blisse above; 

The world hath wist what it is worthy certeyn^ 

Devocion of chastitee to love. . . . 

Tho shewed hym Cecile_, al open and pleyn^ 

That alle ydoles nys but a thyng in veyn^ 285 

For they been dombe and therto they been deve, 

And charged hym hise ydoles for to rleve. 

''Whoso that troweth nat this^ a beest he is/' 

Quod tho Tiburce^ **If that I shal nat lye/' 

And she gan kisse his brest^ that herde this^ 290 

And was ful glad he koude trouthe espye. 

''This day I take thee for myn allye^'' 

Seyde this blisful faire mayde deere^ 

And after that she seyde as ye may heere. 

"Lo^ right so as the love of Crist_,'' quod she^ 295 

"Made me thy brotheres wyf^ right in that wise 

Anon for myn allyee heer take I thee^ 

Syn that thou wolt thyne ydoles despise. 

Go with thy brother now^ and thee baptise^ 

And make thee clene^ so that thou mowe biholde 300 

The angeles face of which thy brother tolde.'' 

273 it hym. 277 Valerians Cecilies. 281 thise om. 



378 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Tiburce answerde and seyde^ "Brother deere, 

First tel me whider I shal^ and to what man?" 

"To whom?" quod he^ "com forth with right good cheere^ 

I wol thee lede unto the Pope Urban." 305 

"Til L^rban? brother myn Valerian/' 

Quod tho Tiburce^ "woltow me thider lede ? 

Me thynketh that it were a wonder dede." 

"Ne menestow nat Urban^" quod he tho^ 

"That is so ofte dampned to be deed^ 310 

And woneth in halkes alwey to and fro^ 

And dar nat ones putte forth his heed ; 

Men sholde hym brennen in a fyr so reed^ 

If he were founde^ or that men myghte hym spye; 

And we also^ to here hym compaignye^ 315 

And whil we seken thilke divinitee^ 

That is yhid in hevene pryvely^ 

Algate ybrend in this world shul we be !" 

To whom Cecile answerde boldely^ 

"Men myghten dreden wel and skilfully 320 

This lyf to lese^ myn owene deere brother^ 

If this were lyvynge oonly and noon oother. 

But ther is bettre lif in oother place, 

That nevere shal be lost, ue drede thee noght, 

Which Goddes sone us tolde thurgh his grace. 325 

That fadres sone hath alle thyng ywroght. 

And al that wroght is with a skilful thoght. 

The goost, that fro the fader gan procede, 

Hath sowled hem, withouten any drede. 

By word and by myracle Goddes Sone, 330 

Whan he was in this world, declared heere 
That ther was oother lyf ther men may wone." 

303 that I. 



THE SECONDE NONNES TALE 379 

To whom answerde Tiburce^ "O suster deere, 

Ne seydestow right now in this manere_, 

Ther nys but o God^ lord in soothfastnesse^ 335 

And now of three how maystow bere witnesse?" 

*'That shal I telle/' quod she^ "er I go. 

Right as a man hath sapiences three^ 

Memorie^ engyn^ and intellect also^ 

So^ in o beynge of divinitee 340 

Thre persones may ther right wel bee." 

Tho gan she hym ful bisily to preche 

Of Cristes come^ and of hise peynes teche^ 

And many pointes of his passioun; 

How Goddes sone in this world was withholde 34:5 

To doon mankynde pleyn remissioun^ 

That was ybounde in synne and cares colde ... : 

Al this thyng she unto Tiburce tolde; 

And after this^ Tiburce in good entente 

With Valerian to Pope Urban he wente; 350 

That thanked God^ and with glad herte and light 

He cristned hym^ and made hym in that place 

Parfit in his lernynge^ Goddes knyght. 

And after this Tiburce gat swich grace 

That every day he saugh in tyme and space 355 

The aungel of God_, and every maner boone 

That he God axed^ it was sped ful soone. 

It were ful hard by ordre for to seyn 

How manye wondres Jesus for hem wroghte. 

But atte laste_, to tellen short and pleyn^ 360 

The sergeantz of the toun of Rome hem soghte^ 

And hem biforn Almache the Prefect broghte^ 

Which hem opposed^ and knew al hire entente^ 

And to the ymage of Juppiter hem sente^ 



380 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

And seyde^ ''Whoso wol nat sacrifise^ 365 

Swap of his heed^ this my sentence heer." 

Anon thise martirs that I yow devyse^ 

Oon Maximus^ that was an officer 

Of the prefectes_, and his corniculer_, 

Hem hente^ and whan he forth the seintes ladde^ 370 

Hymself he weepe^ for pitee that he hadde. 

Whan Maximus had herd the seintes loore^ 

He gat hym of the tormentoures leve^ 

And ladde hem to his hous withoute moore. 

And with hir prechyng^ er that it were eve^ 375 

They gonnen fro the tormentours to reve^ 

And fro Maxime^ and fro his folk echone 

The false feith^ to trowe in God allone. 

Cecile cam whan it was woxen nyght^ 

With preestes that hem cristned alle yfeere_, 380 

And afterward_, whan day was woxen light^ 

Cecile hem seyde^ with a ful stedefast cheere^ 

''Now Cristes owene knyghtes_, leeve and deere^ 

Cast alle awey the werkes of derknesse 

And armed yow in armure of brightnesse. 385 

Ye han forsothe ydoon a greet bataille^ 

Youre cours is doon^ youre feith han ye conserved^ 

Gooth to the corone of lif that may nat faille. 

The rightful juge which that ye han served 

Shal yeve it yow as ye han it deserved/' 390 

And whan this thyng was seyd as I devyse^ 

Men ledde hem forth to doon the sacrefise. 

But whan they weren to the place broght^ 

To tellen shortly the conclusioun^ 

They nolde encense ne sacrifise right noght^ 395 

373 tormentours. 



THE SECONDS NONNES TALE 381 

But on hir knees they setten hem adoun 
With humble herte and sad devoeioun^ 
And losten bothe hir hevedes in the place. 
Hir soules wenten to the kyng of grace. 

This Maximus that saugh this thyng bityde^ 400 

With pitous teeris tolde it anon-right^ 

That he hir soules saugh to hevene glyde^ 

With aungels ful of cleernesse and of light ; 

And with this word converted many a wight. 

For which Almachius dide hym so bete 405 

With whippe of leed_, til he the lif gan lete. 

Cecile hym took^ and buryed hym anon 

By Tiburce and Valerian softely^ 

Withinne hir buriyng place under the stoon^ 

And after this Almachius hastily 410 

Bad hise ministres fecchen openly 

Cecile_, so that she myghte in his presence 

Doon sacrifice^ and Juppiter encense. 

But they^ converted at hir wise loore^ 

Wepten ful soore^ and yaven ful credence 415 

Unto hire word^ and cryden moore and moore^ 

''Crista Goddes sone^ withouten diiFerence^ 

Is verray God^ this is al oure sentence^ 

That hath so good a servant hym to serve 

This with o voys we trowen_, thogh we sterve.'* 420 

Almachius^ that herde of this doynge^ 

Bad fecchen Cecile^ that he myghte hir see^ 

And alderfirst^ lo^ this was his axynge: 

**What maner womman artow?" tho quod he. 

**I am a gentil womman born/' quod she. 425 

**I axe thee/' quod he^ ''though it thee greeve^ 

Of thy religioun and of thy bileeve." 

418 al om. 424 tho om. 



382 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

"Ye han bigonne youre question folily/' 

Quod she^ ''that wolden two answeres conclude 

In o demande; ye axed lewedly/' 430 

Almaclie answerde unto that similitude^ 

''Of whennes comth thyn answeryng so rude?" 

"Of whennes?'' quod she_, whan that she was freyned, 

"Of conscience and of good feith unfeyned." 

Almachius seyde^ "Ne takestow noon heede 435 

Of my power ?" and she answerde hym^ 

"Youre myght/' quod she^ "ful litel is to dreede. 

For every mortal mannes power nys 

But lyke a bladdre ful of wynd^ ywys ; 

For with a nedles poynt^ whan it is blowe^ 440 

May al the boost of it be leyd ful lowe." 

"Ful wrongfully bigonne thow," quod he^ 

"And yet in wrong is thy perseveraunce ; 

Wostow nat how oure myghty princes free 

Han thus comanded and maad ordinaunce 445 

That every cristen wight shal han penaunce^ 

But if that he his cristendom withseye — 

And goon al quit^ if he wole it reneye?'' 

"Yowre princes erren^ as youre nobleye dooth/' 

Quod tho Cecile^ "and with a wood sentence 450 

Ye make us gilty^ and it is nat sooth^ 

For je, that knowen wel oure innocence. 

For as muche as we doon a reverence 

To Crist/ and for we here a cristen name. 

Ye putte on us a cryme, and eek a blame. 455 

But we that knowen thilke name so 
For vertuous, we may it nat withseye/* 
Almache answerde, "Chees oon of thise two. 
Do sacrifice, or cristendom reneye, 

451 it om. 



I 



THE SECONDS NONNES TALE 383 

That thou mowe now escapen by that weje." 460 

At wich the hooly blisful faire mayde 
Gan for to laughe^ and to the juge sayde^ 

*'0 Juge^ confus in thy nycetee^ 

Woltow that I reneye innocence^ 

To make me a wikked wight/' quod shee; 465 

''L.0, he dissymuleth heere in audience_, 

He stareth^ and woodeth in his advertence.'*' 

To whom AlmaehiuS;, ''Unsely wrecche, 

Ne woostow nat how far my myght may strecche? 

Han noght oure myghty princes to me yeven 470 

Ye^ bothe power and auctoritee 

To maken folk to dyen or to lyven ? 

Why spekestow so proudly thanne to me?'' 

"I speke noght but stedfastly/' quod she^ 

"Nat proudly^ for I speke as for my syde^ 475 

We haten deedly thilke vice of pryde. 

And if thou drede nat a sooth to heere^ 

Thanne wol I shewe al openly by right 

That thou hast maad a f ul gret lesyng heere^ 

Thou seyst^ thy princes han thee yeven myght 480 

Bothe for to sleen^ and for to quyken a wight. 

Thou that ne mayst but oonly lyf bireve_, 

Thou hast noon oother power^ ne no leve ! 

But thou mayst seyn thy princes han thee maked 

Ministre of deeth^ for if thou speke of mo, 485 

Thou lyest^ for thy power is ful naked." 

"Do wey thy booldnesse/' seyde Almachius tho, 

"And sacrifie to oure goddes er thou go. 

I recche nat what wrong that thou me profre_, 

For I can suffre it as a philosophre. 490 

467 and he. 



384 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

But thilke wronges may I nat endure 

That thou spekest of oure goddes heere/' quod he. 

Cecile answerde^ ''O nyce creature^ 

Thou seydest no word^ syn thou spak to me, 

That I ne knew therwith thy nycetee, 495 

And that thou were in every maner wise 

A lewed officer and a veyn justise. 

Ther lakketh no thyng to thyne outter eyen 

That thou nart blynd, for thyng that we seen alle 

That it is stoon, that men may wel espyen, 500 

That ilke stoon a god thow wolt it calle. 

I rede thee lat thyn hand upon it f alle, 

And taste it wel, and stoon thou shalt it fynde, 

Syn that thou seest nat with thyne eyen blynde. 

It is a shame that the peple shal 505 

So scorne thee, and laughe at thy folye. 

For communly men woot it wel overal 

That myghty God is in hise hevenes hye. 

And thise ymages, wel thou mayst espye. 

To thee ne to hemself mowen noght profite, 510 

For in effect they been nat worth a myte/' 

Thise wordes and swiche othere seyde she. 

And he weex wrooth, and bad men sholde hir lede 

Hom til hir hous, and ''in hire hous,'' quod he, 

"Brenne hire right in a bath of flambes rede/' 515 

And as he bad, right so was doon in dede. 

For in a bath they gonne hire faste shetten. 

And nyght and day greet fyre they underbetten. 

The longe nyght and eek a day also 

For al the fyr and eek the bathes heete 520 

She sat al coold, and f eelede no wo ; 

It made hir nat a drope for to sweete. 

510 ne mowen. 521 feeled. 



THE SECONDE NONNES TALE 385 

But in that bath hir lyf she moste lete^ 

For he Almachius^ with a ful wikke entente^ 

To sleen hir in the bath his sonde sente. 525 

Thre strokes in the nekke he smoot hir tho^ 

The tormentour^ but for no maner chaunce 

He myghte noght smyte al hir nekke atwo. 

And for ther was that tyme an ordinaunce 

That no man sholde doon men swich penaunce 530 

The ferthe strook to smyten^ softe or soore^ 

This tormentour ne dorste do namoore. 

But half deed^ with hir nekke ycorven there^ 

He lefte hir lye^ and on his wey is went. 

The cristen folk^ which that aboute hir were. 535 

With sheetes han the blood ful faire yhent. 

Thre dayes lyved she in this torment^ 

And nevere cessed hem the f eith to teche; 

That she hadde fostred_, hem she gan to preche. 

And hem she yaf hir moebles^ and hir thyng^ 540 

And to the Pope Urban bitook hem tho^ 

And seyde_, ''I axed this at hevene kyng 

To han respit thre dayes^ and namo^ 

To recomende to yow er that I go 

Thise soules^ lo^ and that I myghte do werche 54<5 

Heere of myn hous perpetuelly a cherche/' 

Seint Urban with hise deknes prively 

This body fette^ and buryed it by nyghte_, 

Among hise othere seintes^ honestly. 

Hir hous the chirche of seinte Cecilie highte; 550 

Seint Urban halwed it^ as he wel myghte_, 

In which^ into this day^ in noble wyse 

Men doon to Crist and to his seinte servyse. 

534 is he. 

Heere is ended the Seconde Nonnes tale. 



PROLOGUE TO THE CHANOUNS 
YEMANNES TALE 

The prologe of the Chanouns yemannes tale. 

Whan ended was the lyf of seinte Cecile^ 

Er we hadde riden fully fyve mile^ 555 

At Boghtoun under Blee us gan atake 

A man, that clothed was in clothes blake. 

And undernethe he wered a whyt surplys. 

His hakeney, which that was al pomely grys. 

So swatte, that it wonder was to see^ 560 

It semed as he had priked miles three. 

The hors eek that his yeman rood upon 

So swatte, that unnethe myghte it gon. 

Aboute the peytrel stood the foom ful hye, 

He was of fome al flekked as a pye. 5^5 

A male tweyfoold upon his croper lay. 

It semed that he caried lite array. 

Al light for somer rood this worthy man, 

And in myn herte wondren I bigan 

What that he was, til that I understood 570 

How that his cloke was sowed to his hood ; 

For which, whan I hadde longe avysed me, 

I demed hym som Chanoun for to be. 

His hat heeng at his bak doun by a laas, 

For he hadde riden moore than trot or paas; 5*75 

He hadde ay priked lik as he were wood. 

A clote-leef he hadde under his hood 

For swoot, and for to kepe his heed from heete. 

But it was joye for to seen hym swete ! 

His forheed dropped as a stillatorie 580 

554 ended was toold was aL 558 whyt om. 562 hors hakeney. 569 to 
wondren. 



THE CHANOUNS YEMANNES PROLOGUE 387 

Were ful of plantayne and of paritorie. 

And whan that he was come^ he gan to crye^ 

*'God save/' quod he^ **this joly compaignye! 

*'Faste have I priked/' quod he_, '*for youre sake. 

By cause that I wolde yow atake, 585 

To riden in this myrie compaignye/' 

His Yeman eek was ful of curteisye, 

And seyde, * 'Sires, now in the morwe tyde 

Out of youre hostelrie I saugh yow ryde. 

And warned heer my lord and my soverayn 590 

Which that to ryden with yow is ful f ayn 

For his desport; he loveth daliaunce." 

**Freend, for thy warnyng God yeve thee good chaunce/' 

Thanne seyde oure Hoost, ''for certein, it wolde seme 

Thy lord were wys, and so I may wel deme. 595 

He is ful jocunde also, dar I leye. 

Can he oght telle a myrie tale or tweye 

With which he glade may this compaignye?" 

*'Who, sire, my lord? ye, ye, with-outen lye! 

He kan of murthe and eek of jolitee 600 

Nat but ynough, also, sire, trusteth me. 

And ye hym knewen as wel as do I, 

Ye wolde wondre how wel and craftily 

He koude werke, and that in sondry wise. 

He hath take on hym many a greet emprise^ 605 

Which were ful hard for any that is heere 

To brynge aboute, but they of hym it leere. 

As hoomly as he rit amonges yow. 

If ye hym knewe, it wolde be for youre prow. 

Ye wolde nat for goon his aqueyntaunce 6lO 

For muchel good, I dar leye in balaunce 

Al that I have in my possessioun. 

He is a man of heigh discrecioun, 

I warne yow wxl, he is a passyng man." 

^'Wel," quod oure Hoost, "I pray thee, tel me than, 6l5 

586 this som. 591 that om. 593 good om. 602 knewe. 



388 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Is he a clerk^ or noon ? telle what he is ?" 

**Nay^ he is gretter than a clerk^ ywis/' 

Seyde this Yeman^ *'and in wordes fewe^ 

Hoost^ of his craft somwhat I wol yow shewe. 

I seye my lord kan swich subtilitee — 620 

But al his craft ye may nat wite for me_, 

And somwhat helpe I yet to his wirkyng — 

That al this ground on which we been ridyng 

Til that we come to Caunterbury toun_, 

He koude al clene turne it up so doun 625 

And pave it al of silver and of gold/' 

And whan this Yeman hadde this tale ytold 

Unto oure Hoost^ he seyde^ **Benedicitee^ 

This thyng is wonder merveillous to me_, 

Syn that thy lord is of so heigh prudence^ 630 

By cause of which men sholde hym reverence^ 

That of his worship rekketh he so lite. 

His overslope nys nat worth a myte 

As in effect to hym^ so moot I go. 

It is al baudy and to-tore also^ 6S5 

Why is thy lord so sluttissh^ I the preye^ 

And is of power bettre clooth to beye^ 

If that his dede accorde with thy speche.^ 

Telle me that^ and that I thee biseche.'' 

"Why/' quod this Yeman^ 'Vherto axe ye me.^ 640 

God help me so^ for he shal nevere thee ! 

But I wol nat avowe that I seye^ 

And therfore keepe it secree^ I yow preye; 

He is to wys/in feith^ as I bileeve ! 

That that is overdoon^ it wol nat preeve 64<5 

Aright; as clerkes seyn^ it is a vice. 

Wherf ore in that I holde hym lewed and nyce ; 

For whan a man hath over-greet a wit^ 

Ful oft hym happeth to mysusen it. 

So dooth my lord^ and that me greveth soore. 650 

God it amende_, I kan sey yow namoore.'' 



THE CHANOUNS YEMANNES PROLOGUE 389 

''Therof no fors^ good Yeman/' quod oure Hoost^ 

**Syn of the konnyng of thy lord thow woost^ 

Telle how he dooth^ I pray thee hertely^ 

Syn that he is so crafty and so sly. 655 

Where dwelle ye^ if it to telle be ?" 

''In the suburbes of a toun/' quod he^ 

''Lurkynge in hemes and in lanes blynde^ 

Where as thise robbours and thise theves by kynde 

Holden hir pryvee f ereful residence^ 660 

As they that dar nat shewen hir presence. 

So faren we if I shal seye the sothe." 

"Now^" quod oure Hoost^ ''yit lat me talke to the^ 

Why artow so discoloured of thy face.^'' 

"Peter/' quod he^ ''God yeve it harde grace^ 665 

I am so used in the fyr to blowe^ 

That it hath chaunged my colour^ I trowe. 

I am nat wont in no mirour to prie^ 

But swynke soore^ and lerne multiplie. 

We blondren evere^ and pouren in the fir^ 670 

And_5 for al that^ we faille of oure desir. 

For evere we lakke of oure conciusioun; 

To muchel folk we doon illusioun^ 

And borwe gold^ be it a pound or two^ 

Or ten^ or twelve^ or manye sommes mo^ 675 

And make hem wenen at the leeste weye 

That of a pound we koude make tweye. 

Yet is it fals^ but ay we han good hope 

It for to doon^ and after it we grope. 

But that science is so fer us biforn_, 680 

We mowen nat^ although we hadden sworn^ 

It over-take^ it slit awey so f aste. 

It wole us maken beggers atte laste.'' 

Whil this yeman was thus in his talkyng. 

This Chanoun drough hym neer^ and herde al thyng 685 

Which this Yeman spak^ for suspecioun 

663 talke telle: pit om. 



390 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Of mennes speche evere hadde this Chanoun. 

For Catoun seith_, that he that gilty is 

Demeth alle thyng be spoke of hym^ ywis. 

That was the cause he gan so ny hym drawe . 690 

To his yeman^ to herknen al his sawe. 

And thus he seyde unto his yeman tho^ 

"Hoold thou thy pees^ and spek no wordes mo^ 

For if thou do^ thou shalt it deere abye. 

Thou sclaundrest me heere in this compaignye, 695 

And eek diseoverest that thou sholdest hyde." 

*'Ye^" quod our Hoost^ '^telle on^ what so bityde^ 

Of al his thretyng rekke nat a myte." 

"In feith/' quod he^ "namoore I do but lyte/' 

And whan this Chanoun saugh it wolde nat bee^ 700 

But his Yeman wolde telle his pryvetee^ 

He fledde awey for verray sorwe and shame. 

"A!" quod the Yeman^ *'heere shal arise game. 

Al that I kan^ anon now wol I telle^ 

Syn he is goon^ the foule feend hym quelle! 705 

For nevere heer after wol I with hym meete^ 

For peny ne for pound^ I yow biheete. 

He that me broghte first unto that game, 

Er that he dye, sorwe have he and shame. 

For it is ernest to me, by my feith, 710 

That feele I wel, what so any man seith. 

And yet, for al my smert and al my grief. 

For al my sorwe, labour, and meschief, 

I koude nevere leve it in no wise. 

Now wolde God, my wit myghte suffise 715 

To tellen al that longeth to that art. 

And nathelees yow wol I tellen part, 

Syn that my lord is goon, I wol nat spare, 

Swich thyng as that I knowe^ I wol declare. 

Heere endeth the prologe of the Chanouns yemannes tale, 

706 after om. 711 so that. 



THE CHANOUNS YEMANNES TALE 391 

THE TALE. 

[After a lengthy account of the practice of alchemy by 
his master_, the yeoman tells how a priest is beguiled of his 
money by a certain canon through trickery of a hollow rod.] 



GROUP H. 

PROLOGUE TO THE MAUNCIPLES 

TALE 

Heere folweth the Prologe of the Maunciples tale, 

Woot ye nat where ther stant a litel toun^ 
Which that yeleped is Bobbe-up-and-doun 
Under the Blee^ in Caunterbury weye ? 
Ther gan pure Hooste for to jape and pleye^ 
And seyde^ ''Sires^ what^ Dun is in the Myre ! 5 

Is ther no man for preyere ne for hyre^ 
That wole awake oure f elawe al bihynde ? 
A theef myghte hym ful lightly robbe and bynde. 
See how he nappeth^ see how for Cokkes bones^ 
That he wol falle fro his hors atones. ' 10 

Is that a Cook of London^ with meschaunce ? 
Do hym come forth_, he knoweth his penaunce^ 
For he shal telle a tale^ by my f ey^ 
Although it be nat worth a hotel hey. 

Awake^ thou Cook/' quod he^ ''God yeve thee sorwe^ 15 

What eyleth thee^ to slepe by the morwe ? 
Hastow had fleen al nyght^ or artow dronke.^ 
Or hastow with som quene al nyght yswonke 
So that thow mayst nat holden up thyn heed.^" 
This Cook that was ful pale^ and no thyng reed^ 20 

Seyde to oure Hoost^ ''So God my soule blesse^ 
As ther is falle on me swich hevynesse^ 
Noot I nat why^ that me were levere slepe 
Than the beste galon wyn in Chepe.'' 

"Wei/' quod the Maunciple^ "if it may doon ese 25 

To thee^ Sire Cook^ and to no wight displese 
4 boost. 14 boteL 



I 



PROLOGUE TO THE MAUNCIPLES TALE 393 

Which that heere rideth in this compaignye^ 

And that oure Hoost wole of his curteisye^ 

I wol as now excuse thee of thy tale^ 

For^ in good feith^ thy visage is ful pale. 30 

Thyne eyen daswen eek^ as that me thynketh^ 

And wel I woot^ thy breeth ful soure stynketh. 

That sheweth wel thou art nat wel disposed_, 

Of me_, certeyn^ thou shalt nat been yglosed. 

See how he ganeth^ lo_, this dronken wight ! 35 

As though he wolde swolwe us anonright. 

Hoold cloos thy mouthy man^ by thy fader kyn^ 

The devel of helle sette his foot therin. 

Thy cursed breeth infecte wole us alle_, 

Fy^ stynkyng swyn ! f y, f oule moote thou f alle ! 40 

A^ taketh heede^ sires^ of this lusty man ! 

Xow_, sweete sire^ wol ye justen atte fan? 

Therto me thynketh ye been wel yshape^ 

I trowe that ye dronken han wyn-ape^ 

And that is^ whan men pleyen with a straw/' 45 

And with this speche the Cook wax wrooth and wraw, 

And on the Manciple he gan nodde faste^ 

For lakke of speche^ and doun the hors hym caste, 

Where as he lay til that men up hym took; 

This was a fair chyvachee of a Cook ! 50 

AUas^ he nadde holde hym by his ladel ! 

And er that he agayn were in his sadel 

Ther was greet showvyng bothe to and f ro_, 

To lifte hym up^ and muchel care and wo^ 

So unweeldy was this sory palled goost. 55 

And to the Manciple thanne spak oure hoost, 

''By cause drynke hath dominacioun, 

Upon this man, by my savacioun, 

I trowe he lewedly wolde telle his tale. 

For were it wyn, or oold or moysty ale, 60 

That he hath dronke, he speketh in his nose, 

29 as om. 59 lewedly he. 



394 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

And fneseth faste^ and eek he hath the pose. 

He hath also to do moore than ynough 

To kepen hym and his capul out of sloughy 

And if he falle from his capul eftsoone^ 65 

Thanne shal we alle have ynogh to doone 

In liftyng up his hevy dronken cors. 

Telle on thy tale^ of hym make I no f ors ; 

But yet^ Manciple^ in f eith thou art to nyce^ 

Thus openljT^ repreve hym of his vice. 70 

Another day he wole peraventure 

Reclayme thee and brynge thee to lure. 

I meene he speke wole of smale thynges^ 

As for to pynchen at thy rekenynges^ 

That were nat honeste^ if it cam to preef.'' 75 

''No^'' quod the Manciple^ ''that were a greet mescheef, 

So myghte he lightly brynge me in the snare ; 

Yet hadde I levere payen for the mare^ 

Which that he rit on^ than he sholde with me stryve 

I wol nat wratthen hym^ al so moot I thryve ; 80 

That that I speke_, I seyde it in my bourde. 

And wite ye what^ I have heer in a gourde 

A draghte of wyn^ ye^ of a ripe grape^ 

And right anon ye shul seen a good jape. 

This Cook shal drynke therof if that I may^ 85 

Up peyne of deeth^ he wol nat seye me nay." 

And certeynly^ to tellen as it was^ 

Of this vessel the Cook drank faste; allas^ 

What neded hym ? he drank ynough bif orn ! 

And whan he hadde pouped in this horn^ 90 

To the Manciple he took the gourde agayn^ 

And of that drynke the Cook was wonder fayn^ 

And thanked hym in swich wise as he koude. 

Thanne gan oure Hoost to laughen wonder loude^ 

And seyde^ ''I se wel it is necessarie 95 

Where that we goon^ that drynke we with us carie. 

For that wol turne rancour and disese 



PROLOGUE TO THE MAUNCIPLES TALE 395 

Tacord and love and many a wrong apese. 

O thou Bacus^ yblessed be thy name_, 

That so kanst turnen ernest into game! 100 

Worship and thank be to thy deitee ! 

Of that mateere ye gete namoore of me^ 

Telle on thy tale^ Manciple^ I thee preye." 

"Wel^ sire/' quod he^ ''now herkneth what I seye.'* 

99 thou 0711. 



THE MAUNCIPLES TALE 

Heere higynneth the Maunciples tale of the Crowe. 

Whan Phebus dwelled heere in this world adoun^ 105 

As olde bookes maken mencioun^ 

He was the mooste lusty bachiler 

In al this world_, and eek the beste archer. 

He slow Phitoun the serpent^ as he lay 

Slepynge agayn the sonne upon a day; 110 

And many another noble worthy dede 

He with his bowe wroghte^ as men may rede. 

Pleyen he koude on every mynstralcie^ 

And syngen^ that it was a melodie 

To heeren of his cleere voys the soun. 115 

Certes^ the kyng of Thebes^ Amphioun^ 

That with his syngyng walled that citee^ 

Koude nevere syngen half so wel as hee. 

Therto he was the semelieste man^ 

That is or was sith that the world bigan. 120 

What nedeth it hise f etures to discryve ? 

For in this world was noon so fair on lyve. 

He was therwith fulfild of gentillesse^ 

Of honour^ and of parfit worthynesse. 

This Phebus that was flour of bachilrie^ 125 

As wel in fredom as in ehivalrie^, 
For his desport^ in signe eek of victorie 
Of Phitoun^ so as telleth us the storie^ 
Was wont to beren in his hand a bowe. 

Now hadde this Phebus in his hous a crowe^ ISO 

Which in a cage he f ostred many a day^ 
And taughte it speken as men teche a jay. 
Whit was this crowe^ as is a snow-whit swan. 
And countrefete the speche of every man 

132 speke. 133 is om. 



THE MAUNCIPLES TALE ' 397 

He koude^ whan he sholde telle a tale. 135 

Therwith in al this world no nyghtyngale 

Ne koude^ by an hondred thousand deel^ 

Syngen so wonder myrily and weel. 

Now hadde this Phebus in his hous a wyf 

Which that he lovede moore than his lyf ; 140 

And nyght and day dide evere his diligence 

Hir for to plese and doon hire reverence. 

Save oonly^ if the sothe that I shal sayn^ 

Jalous he was^ and wolde have kept hire fayn_, 

For hym were looth byjaped for to be — 145 

And so is every wight in swich degree ; 

But all in ydel^ for it availleth noght. 

A good wyf that is clene of werk and thoght 

Sholde nat been kept in noon awayt^ certayn. 

And trewely the labour is in vayn 150 

To kepe a shrewe_, for it wol nat bee. 

This holde I for a verray nycetee^ 

To spille labour for to kepe wyves^ ^ 

Thus writen olde clerkes in hir lyves. 

But now to purpos_, as I first bigan: 155 

This worthy Phebus dooth al that he kan 
To plesen hir^ wenynge that swich plesaunce_, 
And for his manhede and his governaunce^ 
That no man sholde han put hym from hire grace. 
But God it woot_, ther may no man embrace l60 

As to destreyne a thyng^ which that nature 
Hath natureelly set in a creature. 
Taak any bryd_, and put it in a cage_, 
And do al thyn entente and thy corage 

To fostre it tendrely with mete and drynke^ l65 

Of alle deyntees that thou kanst bithynke; 
And keepe it al so clenly as thou may^ 
Al though his cage of gold be never so gay^ 
Yet hath this brid^ by twenty thousand foold^ 

143 if om. 



398 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Levere in a forest that is rude and coold 170 

Goon ete wormes^ and swich wrecehednesse ; 

For evere this brid wol doon his bisynesse 

To escape out of his cage^ whan he may. 

His libertee this brid desireth ay. 

Lat take a cat_, and fostre hym wel with milk^ 175 

And tendre flessh_, and make his couche of silk^ 

And lat hym seen a mous go by the wal^ 

Anon he weyveth milk and flessh and al^ 

And every deyntee that is in that hous^ 

Swich appetit he hath to ete a mous. 180 

Lo_, heere hath lust his dominacioun_, 

And appetit fleemeth discrecioun. 

A she wolf hath also a vileyns kynde^ 

The lewedeste wolf that she may fynde. 

Or leest of reputacioun wol she take^ 185 

In tyme whan hir lust to han a make. 

AUe thise ensamples speke I by thise men^ 

That been untrewe^ and no thyng by wommen^ 

For men han evere a likerous appetit 

On lower thyng to parfourne hire delit^ 190 

Than on hire wyves^ be they never so faire^ 

Ne never so trewe^ ne so debonaire. 

Flessh is so newefangel_, with meschaunce^ 

That we ne konne in no thyng han plesaunce 

That sowneth into vertu any while. 195 

This Phebus^ which that thoghte upon no gile^ 
Deceyved was^ for al his jolitee; 
For under hym another hadde shee^ 
A man of litel reputacioun. 

Nat worth to Phebus in comparisoun. 200 

The moore harm is^ it happeth ofte so^ 
Of which ther cometh muchel harm and wo. 
And so bifel^ whan Phebus was absent^ 
His wyf anon hath for hir lemman sent; 

173 whan if. 185 that wol. 



THE MAUNCIPLES TALE 399 

Hir lemman? certes_, this is a knavyssh speche, 205 

Foryeveth it me^ and that I yow biseche. 

The wise Plato seith^ as ye may rede^ 

''The word moot nede accorde with the dede." 

If men shal telle proprely a thyng^ 

The word moot cosyn be to the werkyng. 210 

I am a boys tons man^ right thus seye I. 

Ther nys no difference trewely 

Bitwixe a wyf that is of heigh degree — 

If of hire body dishoneste she bee — 

And a povre wenche^ oother than this^ 215 

If it so be they werke bothe auiySy 

But that the gentile in hire estaat above^ 

She shal be cleped his lady as in love^ 

And for that oother is a povre womman^ 

She shal be cleped his wenche^ or his lemman ; 220 

And God it woot^ myn owene deere brother^ 

Men leyn that oon as lowe as lith that oother. 

Right so bitwixe a titlelees tiraun^t 
And an outlawe^ or a theef erraunt_, 

The same I seye^ ther is no diiference. 225 

To Alisaundre was toold this sentence_, 
That for the tirant is of gretter myght_, 
By force of meynee for to sleen dounright^ 
And brennen hous and hoom^ and make al playn^ 
Lo^ therfore is he cleped a capitayn ! 230 

And for the outlawe hath but smal meynee^ 
And may nat doon so greet an harm as he^ 
Ne brynge a contree to so greet mescheef^ 
Men clepen hym an outlawe or a theef. 

But for I am a man noght textueel_, 235 

I wol noght telle of textes never a deel; 
I wol go to my tale as I bigan. 

Whan Phebus wyf had sent for hir lemman^ 
Anon they wroghten al hir lust volage. 
The white crowe that heeng ay in the cage 240 



400 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Biheeld hire werk^ and seyde never a word^ 

And whan that hoom was come Phebus the lord^ 

This crowe sang^ *'Cokkow ! Cokkow ! Cokkow V 

''What^ bryd!'' quod Phebus^ 'Vhat song syngestow? 

Ne were thow wont so myrily to synge 245 

That to myn herte it was a rejoysynge 

To heere thy voys ? allas^ what song is this ?'' 

"By God^'' quod he^ ''I synge nat amys. 

Phebus/' quod he^ "for al thy worthynesse_, 

For al thy beautee and thy gentilesse^ 250 

For al thy song and al thy mynstralcye^ 

For al thy waityng^ blered is thyn eye 

With oon of litel reputacioun 

Noght worth to thee_, as in coraparisoun 

The montance of a gnat^ so moote I thryve^ 255 

For on thy bed thy wyf I saugh hym swyve." 

What wol 3^e moore ? the crowe anon hym tolde, 
By sadde tokenes and by wordes bolde^ 
How that his wyf han doon hire lecherye^ 
Hym to greet shame and to greet vileynye^ 260 

And tolde hym ofte^ he saugh it with hise eyen. 
This Phebus gan aweyward for to wryen_, • 

And thoughte his sorweful herte brast atwo^ 
His bowe he bente and sette ther inne a flo^ 
And in his ire his wyf thanne hath he slayn. 265 

This is thefFect^ ther is namoore to sayn^ 
For sorwe of which he brak his mynstralcie^ 
Bothe harpe^ and lute^ and gy terne^ and sautrie^ 
And eek he brak hise arwes and his bowe^ 
And after that thus spak he to the crowe. 270 

"Traitour/' quod he^ "with tonge of scorpioun^ 
Thou hast me broght to my confusioun^ 
AUas^ that I was wroght ! why nere I deed ? 
O deere wyf^ O gemme of lustiheed^ 
That were to me so sad and eek so trewe^ 275 

251 al oni. 254 as orti. 



THE MAUNCIPLES TALE 401 

Now listow deed with face pale of hewe^ 

Ful giltelees^ that dorste I swere^ ywys. 

O rakel hand^ to doon so foule amys ! 

O trouble wit^ O ire recchelees ! 

That unavysed smyteth gilteles. , 280 

O wantrust^ ful of fals suspecioun^ 

Where was thy wit and thy discrecioun? 

O^ every man^ be war of rakelnesse^ 

Ne trowe no thyng withouten strong witnesse. 

Smyt nat to soone^ er that ye witen why^ 285 

And beeth avysed wel and sobrely^ 

Er ye doon any execucioun 

Upon youre ire for suspecioun. 

Allas^ a thousand folk hath rakel ire 

Fully f ordoon^ and broght hem in the mire ! 290 

Allas^ for sorwe I wol myselven slee V 

And to the crowe^ *'0 false theef^'' seyde he^ 

**I wol thee quite anon thy false tale; 

Thou songe whilom lyk a nyghtyngale^ 

Now shaltow_, false theef_, thy song forgon^ 295 

And eek thy white f etheres everichon. 

Ne nevere in al thy lif ne shaltou speke^ 

Thus shal men on a traytour been awreke. 

Thou and thyn ofspryng evere shul be blake^ 

Ne nevere sweete noyse shul ye make^ 300 

But evere crie agayn tempest and rayn_, 

In tokenynge that thurgh thee my wyf is slayn/' 

And to the crowe he stirte^ and that anon^ 

And pulled hise white fetheres everychon^ 

And made hym blak^ and refte hym al his song^ 305 

And eek his speche^ and out at dore hym slong^ 

Un-to the devel — which I hym bitake ! — 

And for this caas been alle Crowes blake. 

Lordynges^ by this ensample I yow preye^ 
Beth war and taketh kepe what I seye: 310 

277 giltlees. 280 giltles. 300 noys. 



402 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Ne telleth nevere no man in youre lyf 

How that another man hath dight his wyf ; 

He wol yow haten mortally^ certeyn. 

Daun Salomon^ as wise clerkes seyn^ 

Techeth a man to kepen his tonge weel. 315 

But as I seyde^ I am noght textueel ; 

But nathelees_, thus taughte me my dame; 

"My sone^ thenk on the crowe^ on Goddes name. 

My sone_j keepe wel thy tonge and keepe thy f reend^ 

A wikked tonge is worse than a feend. 320 

My sone^ from a feend men may hem blesse. 

My sone^ God of his endelees goodnesse 

Walled a tonge with teeth and lippes eke^ 

For man sholde hym avyse what he speeke. 

My sone^ ful ofte for to muche speche 325 

Hath many a men been spilt^ as clerkes teche. 

But for litel speche^ avysely^ 

Is no man shent^ to speke generally. 

My sone^ thy tonge sholdestow restreyne 

At alle tymes^ but whan thou doost thy peyne 330 

To speke of God in honour and in preyere_, 

The firste vertu sone^ if thou wolt leere^ 

Is to restreyne and kepe wel thy tonge. 

Thus lerne children_, whan that they been yonge^ 

My sone^ of muchel spekyng yvele avysed^ SS5 

Ther lasse spekyng hadde ynough suffised^ 

Comth muchel harm — thus was me toold and taught. — 

In muchel speche synne wanteth naught. 

Wostow wherof a rakel tonge serveth ? 

Right as a swerd forkutteth and forkerveth 340 

An arm atwo^ my deere sone_, right so 

A tonge kutteth freendshipe al atwo. 

A j angler is to God abhomynable; 

Reed Salomon^ so wys and honurable^ 

Reed David in hise psalmes^ reed Senekke ! 34*5 

331 in om. 



THE MAUNCIPLES TALE 403 

My sone^ spek nat^ but with thyn heed thou bekke; 

Dissimule as thou were deef^ if that thou heere 

A j angler speke of perilous mateere. 

The Flemyng seith^ and lerne it if thee leste^ 

That litel janglyng causeth muchel reste. 350 

My sone^ if thou no wikked word hast seyd, 

Thee thar nat drede for to be biwreyd ; 

But he that hath mysseyd^ I dar wel sayn^ 

He may by no wey clepe his word agayn. 

Thyng that is seyd is seyd^ and forth it gooth; S55 

Though hym repente^ or be hym leef or looth^ 

He is his thral to whom that he hath sayd 

A tale, of which he is now yvele apayd. 

My sone^ be war^ and be noon auctour newe 

Of tidjmges^ wheither they been false or trewe, 360 

Wherso thou come^ amonges hye or lowe^ 

Kepe wel thy tonge^ and thenk upon the Crowe/' 

Heere is ended the Maunciples tale of the Crowe. 



GROUP I. 

PROLOGUE TO THE PERSOUNS 
TALE 

Heere foliveth the Prologe of the Persouns tale. 

By that the Maunciple hadde his tale al ended^ 

The Sonne fro the south lyne was descended 

So lowe^ that he nas nat to my sighte 

Degrees nyne and twenty as in highte. 

Ten of the elokke it was tho_, as I gesse^ 5 

For ellevene foot_, or litel moore or lesse^ 

My shadwe was at thilke tyme as there^ 

Of swiche feet as my lengthe parted were 

In sixe feet equal of proporcioun. 

Therwith the moones exaltacioun^ 10 

I meene Libra^ alwey gan ascende_, 

As we were entryng at a thropes ende. 

For which our Hoost^ as he was wont to gje^ 

As in this caas^ oure joly compaignye, 

Seyde in this wise^ "Lordynges everichoon^ 15 

Now lakketh us no tales mo than oon^ 

Fulfilled is my sentence and my decree ; 

I trowe that we han herd of ech degree. 

Almoost fulfild is al myn ordinaunce^ 

I pray to God^ so yeve hym right good chaunce ^ 20 

That telleth this tale to us lustily ! 

''Sire preest_,'' quod he^ *'artow a vicary^ 

Or arte a person? sey sooth by thy fey. 

Be what thou be_, ne breke thou nat oure pley; 

For every man save thou hath toold his tale. 25 

Unbokele and shewe us what is in thy male^ 

For trewely^ me thynketh by thy cheer e 



PROLOGUE TO THE PERSOUNS TALE 405 

Thou sholdest knytte up wel a greet mateere. 

Telle us a fable anon^ for Cokkes bones/' 

This Persoun him answerede^ al atones^ 30 

**Thou getest fable noon ytoold for me_, 

For Paul^ that writeth unto Thymothee^ 

Repreveth hem that weyveth soothfastnesse_, 

And tellen fables^ and swich wrecchednesse. 

Why sholde I sowen draf out of my fest 35 

Whan I may sowen whet e_, if that me lest? 

For which I seye^ if that yow list to heere^ 

Moralitee and vertuous mateere; 

And thanne that ye wol yeve me audience^ 

I wol ful fayn^ at Cristes reverence^ 40 

Do yow plesaunce leefful^ as I kan. 

But trusteth wel I am a southren man^ 

I kan nat geeste Rum^ Ram^ Ruf by lettre_, 

Ne^ God woot^ rym holde I but litel bettre^ 

And therfore if yow list^ I wol nat giose^ 45 

I wol yow telle a myrie tale in prose' 

To knytte up al this f eeste^ and make an ende^ 

And Jesu^ for his grace^ wit me sende 

To shewe yow the wey^ in this viage. 

Of thilke parfit glorious pilgrymage 50 

That highte Jerusalem celestial. 

And if ye vouchesauf^ anon I shal 

Bigynne upon my tale^ for which I preye_, 

Telle youre avys^ I kan no bettre seye. 

But nathelees_, this meditacioun 55 

I putte it ay under correccioun 

Of clerkes_, for I am nat textueel ; 

I take but sentence^ trusteth weel. 

Therfore I make a protestacioun 

That I wol stonde to correccioun." 60 

Upon this word we han assented soone; 
For^ as us semed^ it was for to doone 

30 him om.; answerde. 4^ ful om. 



406 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

To enden in som vertuous sentence^ 

And for to yeve hym space and audience ; 

And bede oure Hoost he sliolde to hym seye 65 

That alle we to telle his tale hym preye. 

Oure Hoost hadde the wordes for us alle: 

''Sire preest/' quod he^ ''now faire yow bifalle^ 

Sey what yow list^ and we wol gladly heere." 

And with that word he seyde in this manere^ 70 

"Telleth/' quod he^ "youre meditacioun ; 

But hasteth yow^ the sonne wole adoun. 

Beth fructuous^ and that in litel space^ 

And to do wel God sende yow his grace/' 

[Then follows the Persones Tale^ concerning penitence^ 
vices and virtues^ and holy living. At the end appears the 
retractation^ so-called_, of Chaucer.] 



Here tahetJi the makere of this book his leve. 

Now preye I to hem alle that herkne this litel 
tretys or rede^ that if ther be any thyng in it that 
liketh hem_, that therof they thanken oure Lord Jesu 
Crista of whom procedeth al wit and al goodnesse. 
And if ther be any thyng that displese hem^ I preye 1085 
hem also that they arrette it to the defaute of myn 
Tinkonnynge^ and nat to my wyl^ that wolde ful fayn 
have seyd bettre^ if I hadde had konnyn'ge. For oure 
Boke seith^ *al that is writen^ is writen for oure 
doctrine/* and that is myn entente. Wherfore^ I 1090 
biseke yow mekely for the mercy of God_, that ye 
preye for me that Crist have mercy on me^ and 
f oryeve me my giltes ; and namely^ of my translacions 
and enditynges of worldly vanitees^ the whiche I 
revoke in my retracciouns ; ' 1095 

As is the book of Troilus^ The book also of Fame^ 
The book of the .xxv. Ladies^ The book of the 
Duchesse^ The book of seint Valentynes day of the 
Parlement of Briddes^ The tales of Caunterbury 
(thilke that sownen into synne)^ The book of the 1100 
Leoun^ and many another book^ if they were in my 
remembrance ; and many a song and many a lec- 
cherous lay^ that Crist for his grete mercy foryeve 
me the synne. But of the translacion of Boece de 
Consolacione^ and othere bookes of Legendes of 1105 
Seintes and omelies^ and moralitee^ and devocioun; 
that thanke I oure Lord Jesu Crista and his blisful 
mooder_, and alle the seintes of hevene; bisekynge 
hem that they from hennes forth unto my lyves ende 
sende me grace to biwayle my giltes_, and to studie 1110 
to the salvacioun of my soule; and graunte me grace 
of verray penitence^ confessioun^ and satisfaccioun to 



408 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

doon in this present lyf^ thurgh the benigne grace of 
Hym^ that is kyng of kynges^ and preest over alle 
preestes^ that boghte us with the precious blood of 1115 
his herte^ so that I may been oon of hem at the day 
of doome that shulle be saved. Qui cum patre. 
S^cetera, 

Heere is ended the hook of the tales of Caunterhury com- 
piled hy Geffrey Chaucer of whos soule Jesu Crist have 
mercy. Amen. 



THE COMPLEYNT TO PITE 

Pite_, that I have sought so yore agoo 

With herte soore^ and ful of besy peyne^ 

That in this worlde was never wight so woo 

Withoute dethe ; and yf I shal not f eyne^ 

My purpose was to Pite to compleyne^ 5 

Upon the crueltee and tirannye 

Of Love^ that for my trouthe doth me dye. 

And when that I^ be lengthe of certeyne yeres^ 

Had evere in oon a tyme soughte to speke^ 

To Pitee ran I^ al bespreynte with teres^ 10 

To prayen hir on Cruelte me awreke. 

But er I myght with any worde out breke^ 

Or tellen any of my peynes smerte^ 

I fonde hir dede^ and buried in an herte. 

Adoune I fel^ when that I saugh the herse^ 15 

Dede as a stone^ while that the swogh me laste; 

But up I roose^ with coloure ful dyverse^ 

And petously on hir myn eyen caste^ 

And ner the corps I gan to presen faste^ 

And for the soule I shope me for to prey ; 20 

I nas but lorne^ ther was no more to sey. 

Thus am I slayne^ sith that Pite is dede_, 

Alias that day^ that ever hyt shuld falle ! 

What maner man dar now hold up his hede } 

To whom shal eny sorwful herte calle.^ 25 

Now Cruelte hath caste to slee us alle 

In ydel hope^ folke redelesse of peyne^ 

Syth she is dede^ to whom shul we compleyne } 

2 hert. 15 that om. 16 a om. 18 I caste. 19 to om. 21 nas was 
25 shal now. 



410 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

But yet encreseth me this wonder newe^ 

That no wight woot that she is dede^ but I. 30 

So mony men as in her tyme hir knewe ; 

And yet she dyed not so sodeynly_, ^ 

For I have sought hir ever ful besely^ 

Sith firste I hadde witte or mannes mynde^ 

But she was dede^ er that I koude hir fynde. 35 

Aboute hir herse there stoden lustely^ 

Withoute any woo^ as thoughte me^ 

Bounte parfyt^ wel armed and riehely^ 

And fresshe Beaute_, Lust and Jolyte_, 

Assured Maner_, Youthe and Honeste^ 40 

Wisdome^ Estaat_, Drede and Governaunce^ 

Confedred both by bonde and alliaunce. 

A compleynt had I writen in myn honde^ 

For to have put to Pittee as a bille ; 

But when I al this companye ther fonde 45 

That rather wolden al my cause spille 

Then do me helpe^ I helde my pleynte stille^ 

For to that folke^ with-outen any fayle^ 

Withoute Pitee ther may no bille availe. 

Then leve I al thise vertues^ save Pite^ 50 

Kepynge the corps^ as ye have herde me seyn^ 

Cofedered alle by bonde of Cruelte^ 

And ben assented when I shal be sleyn. 

And I have put my complaynt up ageyn^ 

For to my foes my bille I dar not shewe^ 55 

ThefFect of which seith thus^ in wordes f ewe : 

32 she, so om. 34 mannes om.; I hadde firste. 35 that om. 44 For om, 
46 wolde. 47 pleynt. 48 withoutes. 50 7 we; thise om.; save oonly. 
52 alle om.; of and by. 



THE COMPLEYNT TO PITE 411 

[The Bill of Complaint] (Tern I.) 

Humblest of herte^ highest of reverence^ 

Benygne flour^ coroune of vertues alle^ 

Sheweth unto youre rialle excellence 

Youre servaunt^ yf I durste me so calle^ 60 

Hys mortal harme^ in which he is yfalle_, 

And noght al oonly for his evel fare^ 

But for your renpun^ as he shal declare. 

Hit stondeth thus^ your contraire^ Crueltee 

Allyed is ayenst your regalye 65 

Under colour of womanly beaute_, 

For men shulde not knowe hir tirannye^ 

With Bounte^ Gentilesse^ and Curtesye^ 

And hath depryved yow now of your place 

That hyght Beaute apertenent to Grace." 70 

For kyndely^ by youre herytage ryght_, 

Ye be annexed ever unto Bounte^ 

And verrely ye oughte do youre myght 

To helpe Trouthe in his adversyte. 

Ye be also the corowne of Beaute^ 75 

And certes_, yf ye wanten in these tweyn_, 

The worlde is lore^ ther is no more to seyn. 

(Tern II.) 

Eke what availeth Maner and Gentilesse 

Withoute yow, benygne creature.^ 

Shal Cruelte be your governeresse ? 80 

Alias, what herte may hyt longe endure? 

Wherfore, but ye the rather take cure 

To breke that perilouse alliaunce. 

Ye sleen hem that ben in your obeisaunce. 

60 durst. 64 that your contrary. 69 noiv om. 70 is hygh : your grace. 
76 want. 



412 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

And further over^ yf ye suffre this^ 85 

Youre renoun ys f ordoo than in a throwe ; 

Ther shal no man wete well what Pite is. 

AUas^ that your renoun is f alle so lowe ! 

Ye be also fro youre heritage y-throwe 

By Cruelte^ that occupieth youre place^ 90 

And we despeyred that seken to your grace. 

Have mercy on me_, thow Herenus quene_, 

That yow have sought so tendirly and yore^ 

Let somme streme of lyght on me be sene^ 

That love and drede yow^ ever lenger the more^ 95 

For sothely for to seyne, I here the soore; 

And though I be not kunnynge for to pleyne^ 

For Goddis love^ have mercy on my peyne. 



{Tern HI.) 

My peyne is this^ that what so I desire. 

That have I not^ ne no thing lyke therto; 100 

And ever setteth desire myn hert on fire. 

Eke on that other syde where so I goo, 

What maner thinge that may encrese my woo. 

That have I redy unsoghte every where. 

Me lakketh but my deth, and than my here, 105 

What nedeth to shewe parcel of my peyne, 

Syth every woo that herte may bethynke 

I sufFre, and yet I dar not to yow pleyne.^ 

For wel I wote, though I wake or wynke. 

Ye rekke not whether I flete or synke; 110 

But natheles my trouthe I shal sustene 

Unto my deth, and that shal wel be sene. 

86 than om. 88 that ever. 91 speken. 96 the so. 102 sydes. 
110 whether where. Ill yet my. 



I 



THE COMPLEYNT TO PITE 413 

This is to seyne^ I wol be youres ever 

Though ye me slee by Crueltee your foo^ 

Algate my spirite shal never dissever 115 

Fro youre servise^ for eny peyne or woo. 

Sith ye be ded, allas^ that hyt is soo ! 

Thus for your deth I may wel wepe and pleyne, 

With herte sore and ful of besy peyne. 

114 foo soo. 117 yet ded. 



THE BOOKE OF THE DUCHESSE 

I have grete wonder^ be this lyghte^ 
How that I lyve^ for day ne nyghte 
I may nat slepe wel nygh noght^ 
I have so many an ydel thoght 

Purely for defaulte of slepe^ 5 

That by my trouthe I take no kepe 
Of noo thinge^ how hyt cometh or gooth, 
Ne me nys nothynge leve nor looth. 
Al is ylyehe goode to me^ 

Joy or sorowe^ wherso hyt be^ 10 

For I have felynge in no thynge^ 
But as yt were a mased thynge 
Alway in poynt to f alle a-doun^ 
For sorwful ymagynacioun 

Ys alway hooly in my mynde. 15 

And wel ye woote^ agaynes kynde 
Hyt were to lyven in thys wyse^ 
For Nature wolde nat sufFyse 
To noon erthely creature 

Nat longe tyme to endure 20 

Withoute slepe_, and be in sorwe. 
And I ne may^ no nyght ne morwe^ 
Slepe^ and thys melaneolye 
And drede I have for to dye^ 

Defaulte .of slepe^ and hevynesse^ 25 

Hath sleyne my spirite of quyknesse^ 
That I have loste al lustyhede. 
Suche fantasies ben in myn hede_, 
So I not what is best too doo. 

But men myght axe me^ why soo SO 

I may not sleepe^ and what me is ? 

26 sleyne om. Lines 31-96 are written in this MS. in a hand of perhaps 1500. 



THE BOOKE OF THE DUCHESSE 415 

But natheles^ whoe aske this 

Leseth his asking trewely. 

Myselven can not telle why 

The southe^ but trewly^ as I gesse^ 35 

I holde it be a sicknes 

That I have sufFred this eight yeere; 

And yet my boote is never the nere^ 

For there nis phisicien but one 

That may me heale^ but that is done. 40 

Passe we over untill efte ; 

That will not be^ mote nedes be lefte. 

Our first mater is good to kepe. 

Soe when I sawe I might not slepe 

Til now late^ this other nighty 45 

Upon my bedde I sate upright^ 

And bade one reche me a booke^ 

A romaunce^ and it me tok 

To rede^ and drive the night away; 

For me thought it beter play ' 50 

Then playen either at chesse or tables. 

And in this boke were written fables 

That clerkes had in olde tyme^ 

And other poets^ put in rime 

To rede^ and for to be in minde^ 55 

While men loved the lawe of kinde. 

This boke ne speake_, but of such thinges. 

Of queues lives^ and of kinges^ 

And many other thinges smalle. 

Amonge all this^ I fonde a tale 60 

That me thought a wonder thing. 

This was the tale : There was a king 

That hight Seyes^ and had a wife 

The beste that might beare lyfe^ 

And this queue hight Alcyone. 65 

32 nathles. 33 trewly. 34 tell. 36 hold. 39 is. 51 play. 56 o/ in. 
58 kings 59 things. 64 best. 



416 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Soe it befill^ thereafter soone_, 

This king wol wenden over see. 

To tellen shortly^ whan that he 

Was in the see_, thus in this wise^ 

Soche a tempest gan to rise 70 

That brake her maste and made it fal^ 

And cleft ther ship^ and dreint hem all, 

That never was founden, as it telles, 

Borde, ne man, ne nothing elles. 

Right thus this king Seyes loste his life. 75 

Now for to speaken of his wife, 

This lady, that was left at home. 

Hath wonder, that the king ne come 

Home, for it was a longe terme. 

Anone her herte began to erme, 80 

And for that her thought evermo 

It was not wele he dwelled soe. 

She longed soe after the king 

That certes, it were a pitous thing 

To tell her hartely sorowfull life 85 

That had, alias, this noble wife. 

For him she loved alderbeste. 

Anone she sent bothe eeste and weste 

To seke him, but they founde nought. 

"Alas y (quoth shee) ''that I was wrought ! 90 

And where my lord, my love, be deed? 

Certes I will never eate breede, 

I make a vowe to my god here. 

But I mowe of my lord here.'' 

Soche sorowe this lady to her toke 95 

That trewly I, which made this booke. 

Had suche pittee and suche rowthe 

To rede hir sorwe, that by my trowthe 

I ferde the worse al the morwe 

67 woll. 73 founde. 76 speake of Alcyone. 79 long. 80 erme yerme. 
82 he divelled her thought. 86 she had ; alias om. 87 alas she. 



\ 



THE BOOKE OF THE DUCHESSE 417 

Aftir_, to thenken on hir sorwe. 100 

So whan this lady koude here noo worde 

That no man myghte fynde hir lorde^ 

Ful ofte she swouned^ and sayed alas ! 

For sorwe ful nygh woode she was^ 

Ne she koude no rede but oon^ 105 

But doune on knees she sate anoon_, 

And weep that pittee was to here. 

"A ! mercy ! swete lady dere I" 

Quod she to Juno^ hir goddesse; 

''Helpe me out of thys distresses 110 

And yeve me grace my lord to se 

Soone^ or wete wher so he be^ 

Or how he fareth^ or in what wise^ 

And I shal make yowe sacrifise^ 

And hooly youres become I shal 115 

With good wille^ body^ hert^ and al. 

And but thow wilte this^, lady swete^ 

Sende me grace to slepe^ and mete 

In my slepe somme certeyn sweven_, 

Wher-thorgh that I may knowe even 120 

Whethir my lorde be quyke or ded." 

With that worde she henge doun the hed^ 

And felle a-swowne as colde as ston. 

Hyr women kaught hir up anoon^ 

And broghten hir in bed al naked; 125 

And she^ forweped and forwaked^ 

Was wery^ and thus the dede slepe 

Fil on hir^ or she tooke kepe^ 

Throgh Juno that had herde hir bone^ 

That made hir to slepe sone^ 130 

For as she prayede ryght so was done 

In dede^ for Juno ryght anone 

Called thus hir messagere 

To doo hir erande_, and he come nere. 

100 and aftir. 102 myght. 107 wepe. 109 to om. 127 ded. 



418 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Whan he was come she bad hym thus^ 135 

**Go bet/' quod Juno^ *'to Morpheus — 

Thou knowest hym wel^ the god of slepe — 

Now understonde wel^ and take kepe^ 

Sey thus on my halfe^ that he 

Go faste into the grete se^ 140 

And byd hym^ that on alle thynge^ 

He take up Seys body the kynge^ 

That lyeth ful pale and no thynge rody. 

Byd hym crepe into the body 

And doo hit goon to Alcione^ 145 

The quene^ ther she lyeth allone^ 

And shewe hir shortly^ hit ys no nay^ 

How hit was dreynt thys other day ; 

And do the body speke soo 

Ryght as hyt was woned to doo^ 150 

The whiles that hit was a-lyve. 

Goo now faste^ and hye the blyve/' 

This messager toke leve^ and went 

Upon hys wey^ and never ne stent 

Til he come to the derke valey 155 

That stant betwexe roches twey^ 

Ther never yet grew corne ne gras^ 

Ne tre^ ne nothyng that oughte was^ 

Beste^ ne man^ ne nothyng elles^ 

Save ther were a fewe welles l60 

Came rennynge fro the clyiFes adoun 

That made a dedely slepynge soun^ 

And ronnen doun ryght by a cave_, 

That was under a rokke ygrave, 

Amydde the valey^ wonder depe^, l65 

There these goddys lay and slepe_, 

Morpheus and Eclympasteyre^ 

That was the god of slepes eyre^ 

141 al. 142 That he. 144 Bud. 145 Alchione. 148 ryght soo. 156 betwex. 
158, 159, nothyng noght. 



THE BOOKE OF THE DUCHESSE 419 

That slepe and did noon other werke. 

This cave was also as derke 170 

As helle pitte^ over al aboute^ 

They had good leyser for to route^ 

To envye who myght slepe beste ; 

Somme henge her chyn upon hir breste^ 

And slept upryght^ hir hed yhedde^ 175 

And somme lay naked in her bedde. 

And slepe^ whiles the dayes laste. 

This messager come fleynge faste^ 

And cried^ *'0 how! a-wake anoon!'' 

Hit was for noght^ there herde hym non. 180 

"Awake^" quod he^ *Vhoo ys^ lythe there?" 

And blew his home ryght in here eere_, 

And cried^ '^awaketh !" wonder hye. 

This god of slepe with hys on ye 

Caste up^ and axed^ "who clepeth there?" 185 

"Hyt am I !" quod this messagere^ 

"Juno bad thow shuldest goon" — 

And tolde hym what he shulde doon_, 

As I have tolde yow here to-fore^ 

Hyt ys no nede reherse hyt more; IQO 

And went hys wey whan he had sayede. 

Anoon this god of slepe abrayede 

Out of hys slepe^ and gan to goon^ 

And dyd as he had bede hym doon_, 

Tooke up the dreynte body sone^ 195 

And bare hyt forth to Alcione_, 

Hys wife the quene^ ther as she lay^ 

Ryght even a quarter before day; 

And stood ryght at hys beddys fete^ 

And called hir ryght as she hete^ 200 

By name^ and sayede^ "My swete wyfe^ 

Awake^ let be your sorwful lyfe^ 

For in your sorwe there lyth no rede^ 

182 heere. 195 dreynt. 196 Alchione. 



420 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

For certes^ swete^ I nam but dede^ 

Ye shul me never on lyve yse. 205 

But good swete herte^ look that ye 

Bury my body^ for suche a tyde 

Ye mowe hyt fynde^ the see besyde ; 

And farewell swete^ my worldes blysse ! 

I praye God youre sorwe lyss.e; — 210 

To lytel while oure blysse lasteth V' 

With that hir eyen up she casteth^ 

And sawe noght. ''Alias I" quod she for sorwe. 

And deyede within the thridde morwe. 

But what she sayede more in that swowe 215 

I may not telle yow as nowe_, 

Hyt were to longe for to dwelle^ 

My first matere I wil yow telle, 

Wherfore I have tolde this thynge 

Of Alcione and Seys the kynge. 220 

For thus moche dar I saye welle, 

I had be dolven everydelle^ 

And ded ryght thorgh defaulte of slepe, 

Yif I ne had redde and take kepe 

Of this tale next before. 225 

And I wol telle yow wherfore ; 

For I ne myght, for bote ne bale, 

Slepe or I had redde thys tale 

Of this dreynte Seys the kynge. 

And of the goddis of slepynge. 230 

Whan I had redde thys tale wel. 

And over loked hyt everydel. 

Me thoght wonder yf hit were so ; 

For I had never herde speke or tho 

Of noo goddis that koude make 235 

Men to slepe, ne for to wake, 

For I ne knewe never God but oon. 

204 am. 206 hert look om. 210 pray. 215 swowe sorowe. 220 Alchione. 
221 say. 226 I om. 



THE BOOKE OF THE DUCHESSE 421 

And in my game I sayede anoon — 
And yet me lyst ryght evel to pley — 

"Rather then that y shulde dey 240 

Thorgh defaulte of slepynge thus^ 
I wolde yive thilke Morpheus 
Or hys goddesse^ dame Juno^ 
Or somme wight ellis^ I ne roght who^ 

To make me slepe and have some reste, 245 

I wil yive hym the alderbeste 
Yifte^ that ever he abode hys lyve^ 
And here^ on warde^ ryght now^ as blyve ; 
Yif he wol make me slepe a lyte^ 

Of downe of pure dowves white 250 

I wil yif hym a f eder bedde^ 
Rayed with golde and ryght wel cledde 
In fyne blak satyn de owter mere^ 
And many a pelowe^ and every here 

Of clothe of Reynes to slepe softe^ 255 

Hym thar not nede to turnen ofte ; 
And I wol yive hym al that f allys 
To a chambre^ and al hys hallys 
I wol do peynte with pure golde^ 

And tapite hem ful many folde 260 

Of oo sute^ this shal he have_, 
Yf I wiste where were hvs cave, 
Yf he kan make me slepe sone^ 
As did the goddesse queue Alcione ; 

And thus this ylke god Morpheus 265 

May Wynne of me moo fees thus^ 
Than ever he wanne^ and to Juno 
That ys hys goddesse I shal soo do^ 
I trow^ that she shal holde hir payede." 

I hadde unneth that worde y-sayede^ 270 

Ryght thus I have tolde hyt yow^ 
That sodeynly^ I nyste how, 
264 Alchione. 



422 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Suclie a luste anoon me tooke 

To slepe^ that ryght upon my booke 

Y fil aslepe^ and therwith evene 275 
Me mette so ynly swete a swevene^ 

So wonderful^ that never yitte 

Y trowe no man had the wytte 
To konne wel my sweven rede; 

No^ not Joseph^ withoute drede^ 280 

Of Egipte^ ho that red so 

The kynges metynge^ Pharao; 

No more than koude the lest of us^ 

Ne nat skarsly Macrobeus — 

He that wrote al thavysyoun^ 285 

That he mette^ kynge Scipioun^ 

The noble man^ the AfFrikan^ 

Swiche mervayles fortuned than — 

I trowe^ a-rede my dremes even. 

Loo^ thus hyt was^ thys was my sweven. 290 

Me thoghte thus : that hyt was May^ 
And in the dawenynge I lay^ 
Me mette thus^ in my bed al naked, 
And loked forth, for I was waked 

With smale foules a grete hepe, 295 

That had afFrayed me out of slepe 
Thorgh noyse and swettenesse of her songe. 
And as me mette, they sate a-monge 
Upon my chambre roofe wythoute. 

Upon the tyles over al aboute, 300 

And songen every ch in hys wyse. 
The moste solempne servise. 
By noote, that ever man, y trowe. 
Had herde, for somme of hem songe lowe, 
Somme high, and al of oon acorde. 305 

To telle shortly, att oo worde. 
Was never harde so swete a steven, 

278 trow. 291 thoght. 292 dawnynge. 296 of my. 298 as al. 301 songe 



THE BOOKE OF THE DUCHESSE 423 

But hyt had be a tliynge of heven^ 

So mery a soune^ so swete entewnes; 

That certes^ for the toune of Tewnes^ 310 

I nolde but I had herde hem synge^ 

For al my chambre gan to rynge 

Thorgh syngynge of her armonye. 

For instrument nor melodye 

Was nowhere herde yet halfe so swete^ 315 

Nor of acorde halfe so mete; 

For ther was noon of hem that feyned 

To synge^ for eche of hem hym peyned 

To fynde out mery crafty notys^ 

They ne spared not her throtys. 320 

And soothe to seyn^ my chambre was 

Ful wel depeynted^ and with glas 

Were al the wyndowes wel yglasyd 

Ful clere^ and nat an hoole ycrasyd^ 

That to beholde hyt was grete joye. 325 

For holy al the story of Troye 

Was in the glasynge ywroght thus^ 

Of Ector and of kynge Priamus^ 

Of Achilles and Lamedoun 

And eke of Medea and of Jasoun^ 330 

Of Paris_, Eleyne^ and of Lavyne. 

And alle the wallys with colouris fyne 

Were peynted^ bothe text^ and glose^ 

And al the Romaunce of the Rose. 

My wyndowes were shette echon^ 335 

And throgh the glas the sonne shon 

Upon my bed with bryghte bemys^ 

With many glade gilde stremys^ 

And eke the welken was so faire^ 

Blew_, bryght_, clere was the ayre_, 340 

And ful attempre^ for sothe^ hyt was^ 

For nother to colde nor hoote yt nas^ 

319 of mery. 329 and of kynge. 342 was. 



424 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Ne in al the welkene was a clowde. 

And as I lay thus^ wonder lowde 

Me thoght I herde an hunte blowe. 345 

Tassay hys horne^ and for to knowe 

Whether hyt were clere or horse of soune. 

And I herde goynge bothe up and doune 

Men^ hors^ houndes_, and other thynge^ 

And al men speken of huntynge^ ^ 350 

How they wolde slee the hert^ with strengthe. 

And how the hert had upon lengthe^ 

So moche embosed^ y not now what. 

Anoon^ ryght whan I herde that^ 

How that they wolde on huntynge goon^ 355 

I was ryght glad^ and up anoon 

Tooke my hors and forthe I went 

Out of my chambre^ I never stent 

Til I come to the felde withoute. 

Ther overtoke y a grete route 360 

Of huntes and eke of foresterys^ 

With many relayes and lymerys^ 

And hyed hem to the forest f aste^ 

And I with hem; so at the laste 

I asked oon^ ladde a lymere^ S65 

"Say^ felowe^ whoo shal hunte here?'' 

Quod I^ and he answered ageyn^ 

"Syr^ themperour Octovyen^" 

Quod he^ ''and ys here faste by/' 

*'A Goddys halfe^ in goode tyme/' quod I^ 370 

''Go we faste!" and gan to ryde^ 

Whan we came to the forest syde^ 

Every man didde ryght anoon 

As to huntynge fille to doon. 

The mayster hunte anoon^ fote hote_j 375 

With a grete home blewe thre mote 

At the uncoupylynge of hys houndys. 

350 speke. 362 may. 364 I om. 369 fast. 



THE BOOKE OF THE DUCHESSE 425 

Withynne a while the herte f ounde ys^ 

Ihalowed_, and rechased faste 

Longe tyme^ and so at the laste 380 

This hert rused_, and staale away 

Fro alle the houndes a prevy way. 

The houndes had overshette hem alle^ 

And were on a defaulte yf alle. 

Therwyth the hunte wonder faste 385 

Blewe a forleygne at the laste. 

I was go walked fro my tree^ 

And as I went_, ther came by mee 

A whelpe_, that fanned me as I stoode^ 

That hadde yfolowed^ and koude no goode. 390 

Hyt come and crepte to me as lowe^ 

Ryght as hyt had me yknowe^ 

Hylde doun hys hede^ and j oyned hys erys^ 

And leyde al smothe doun hys herys. 

I wolde have kaught hyt^ and anoon 395 

Hyt fled^ and was fro me goon; 

And I hym folwed^ and hyt f orthe went 

Doune by a floury grene went 

Ful thikke of gras ful softe and swete^ 

With flourys fele^ faire under fete^ 400 

And litel used hyt semed thus^ 

For both Flora and Zephirus^ 

They two that make floures growe^ 

Had made her dwellynge ther^ I trowe^ 

For hit was_, on to beholde^ 405 

As thogh therthe envye wolde 

To be gayer than the heven^ 

To have moo floures^ swche^ seven 

As in the welkene sterris bee. 

Hyt had forgete the povertee 410 

That wynter^ thorgh hys colde morwes^ 

383 hem hym. 384 upon. 409 walkene. 
^See Glossary. 



426 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Had made liyt suiFre^ and his sorwes; 

All was forgeten_, and that was sene^ 

For al the woode was waxen grene^ 

Swetnesse of dewe had made hyt waxe. 415 

Hyt ys no nede eke for to axe 

Where there were many grene greves^ 

Or thikke of trees so ful of leves^ 

And every tree stoode by hym selve 

Fro other wel tene fete or twelve. 420 

So grete trees^ so huge of strengthen 

Or fourty^ fifty fedme lengthe^ 

Clene withoute bowgh or stikke^ 

With croppes brode^ and eke as thikke^ 

They were nat an ynche asonder^ 425 

That hit was shadewe over al under^ 

And many an herte and many an hynde 

Was both before me and be-hynde. 

Of founes^ sowres^ bukkes^ does^ 

Was ful the woode^ and many roes 430 

And many sqwireles that sete 

Ful high upon the trees and ete^ 

And in hir maner made festys. 

Shortly^ hyt was so ful of bestys^ 

That thogh Argus^ the noble counter^ 435 

Sete to rekene in hys counter^ 

And rekene with his figuris ten — 

For by tho figuris mowe al ken 

Yf they be crafty^ rekene and noumbre^ 

And tel of every thinge the noumbre — 440 

Yet shulde he f ayle to rekene evene 

The wondres^ me mette in my swevene. 

But forth they romed ryght wonder faste 

Doune the woode^ so at the laste 

I was war of a man in blak^ 445 

That sete and had yturned his bak 

420 or fro other. 424 hrode bothe. 431 sqwirels. 446 turned. 



THE BOOKE OF THE DUCHESSE 427 

To an ooke^ an huge tree. 

**Lorde/' tlioght I^ *'who may that be? 

What ayleth hym to sitten here?" 

Anoon ryght I wente nere; 450 

Than founde I sitte even upryght^ 

A wonder wel-farynge knyght — 

By the maner me thoghte soo 

Of good mochel^ and ryght yonge therto^ 

Of the age of foure and twenty yere. 455 

Upon hys berde but lytel here^ 

And he was clothed al in blake. 

I stalked even unto hys bake_, 

And ther I stoode as stille as ought^ 

That^ soth to saye^ he sawe me nought. 460 

For why_, he henge hys hede adoune^ 

And with a dedely sorwful soune 

He made of ryme ten vers or twelfe^ 

Of a compleynt to hymselfe^ 

The moste pitee^ the moste rowthe^ 465 

That ever I herde^ for^ by my trowthe^ 

Hit was gret wonder that nature 

Myght suffre any creature 

To have suche sorwe^ and be not ded^ 

Ful petouse^ pale^ and nothynge red. 470 

He sayed a lay^ a maner songe^ 

Withoute noote^ withoute songe^ 

And was thys^ for ful wel I kan 

Reherse hyt; ryght thus hyt began. — 

The Lay, 

"I have of sorwe so grete wone 475 

That joye gete I never none^ 

Now that I see my lady bryght^ 

Which I have loved with al my myght^ 
Is fro me ded^ and ys a-goon. 

450 went. 453 thoght. 472 One MS. gives and hit. 476 joy. 



428 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

AUas^ dethe^ what ayleth the? 480 

That thou noldest have taken me 

Whan thou toke my lady swete^ 
That was so faire^ so freshe^ so fre^ 
So goode^ that men may wel se 

Of al goodenesse she had no mete !" 485 

Whan he had made thus his complaynte^ 

Hys sorwful hert gan faste faynte_, 

And his spiritis wexen dede. 

The bloode was fled^ for pure drede^ 

Doune to hys hert^ to make hym warme^ 490 

For wel hyt feled the hert had harme^ 

To wete eke why hyt was adrad 

By kynde_, and for to make hyt glad; 

For hit ys membre principal 

Of the body; and that made al 495 

Hys hewe ehaunge and wexe grene 

And pale^ for ther noo bloode ys sene 

In no maner lym of hys. 

Anoon therwith whan y sawgh this^ 

He ferde thus evel there he sete^ 500 

I went and stoode ryght at his fete^ 

And grette hym; but he spake noght^ 

But argued with his oune thoght^ 

And in hys wytte disputed faste 

Why and how hys lyfe myght laste; 505 

Hym thought hys sorwes were so smerte 

And lay so colde upon hys herte ; 

So throgh hys sorwes and hevy thoght 

Made hym that he herde me noght^ 

For he had wel nygh loste hys mynde_, 510 

Thogh Pan^ that men clepe god of kynde. 

Were for hys sorwes never so wrothe; 

But at the last^ to sayn ryght sothe^ 

486 complaynt. 487 faynt. 498 lym hym. 511 the god. 



I 



THE BOOKE OF THE DUCHESSE 429 

He was war of me^ how y stoode 

Before hym^ and did of myn hoode^ 515 

And had ygret hym as I best koude_, 

Debonayrly^ and no thyng lowde. 

He sayde^ "I prey the^ be not wrothe^ 

I herde the not^ to seyn the sothe^ 

Ne I sawgh the not^ syr^ trewely." 520 

"Ay good sir_, no fors/' quod y, 

**I am ryght sory yif I have oughte 

Destroubled yow out of youre thoughte; 

Foryive me_, yif I have mystake." 

'*Yis^ thamendys is lyght to make^'' 525 

Quod he^ "for ther lyeth noon therto ; 

There ys no thynge myssayde nor do." 

Loo_, how goodely spake thys knyghte^, 

As hit had be another wyghte; 

He made hyt nouther towgh ne queynte. 530 

And I sawe that^ and gan me aqueynt 

With hym_, and fonde hym so tretable^ 

Ryght wonder skylful and resonable^ 

As me thoght^ for al hys bale. 

Anoon-ryght I gan fynde a tale 535 

To hym^ to loke wher I myght oughte 

Have more knowynge of hys thoughte. 

"Sir^" quod I, *'this game is doon; 

I holde that this hert be goon ; 

These huntys konne hym no wher see." 540 

*'Y do no fors therof^" quod he^ 

"My thought ys thereon never a dele." 

"Be oure Lorde/' quod I^ "y trow yow wele; 

Ryght so me thenketh by youre chere. 

But sir^ 00 thyng wol ye here? 54i5 

Me thynketh^ in grete sorowe I yow see ; 

But certys^ good sir^ yif that yee 

Wolde ought discure me youre woo^ 

520 trewly. 547 good om. 



430 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

I wolde^ as wys God helpe me soo^ 

Amende hyt, yif I kan or may. 550 

Ye mowe preve hyt be assay. 

For by my trouthe^ to make yow hool 

I wol do alle my power hool. 

And telleth me of your sorwes smerte_, 

Paraventure hyt may ease youre herte^ 555 

That semeth ful seke under your syde.'' 

With that he loked on me asyde 

As who sayth^ 'nay^ that wol not be.'' 

*'Graunt mercy^ goode frende/' quod he^ 

**I thanke the that thow woldest soo^ 560 

But hyt may never the rather be doo. 

No man may my sorwe glade^ 

That maketh my hewe to fal and fade^ 

And hath myn understondynge lorne^ 

That me ys woo that I was borne ! 565 

May noght make my sorwes slyde 

Nought al the remedyes of Ovyde ; 

Ne Orpheus^ god of melodye^ 

Ne. Dedalus^ with his playes slye^ 

Ne hele me may noo phisicien_, 570 

Noght Ypocras^ ne Galyen. 

Me ys woo that I lyve oures twelve^ 

But whoo so wol assay hymselve^ 

Whether his hert kan have pitee 

Of any sorwe^ lat hym see me. 575 

Y wrechch^ that deth hath made al naked 
Of al blysse that ever was maked. 

Y worthe worste of alle wyghtys^ 
That hate my dayes and my nyghtys ; 

My lyfe^ my lustes^ be me loothe^ 580 

For al welfare and I be wroothe. 
The pure deth ys so ful my f oo, 

578 al. 



I 



THE BOOKE OF THE DUCHESSE 431 

That I wolde deye^ hyt wolde not soo. 

For whan I folwe hyt^ hit wol flee^ 

I wolde have hym_, hyt nyl nat me. 585 

This ys my peyne^ wythoute rede^ 

Alway deynge and be not dede^ 

That Thesiphus^ that lyeth in helle. 

May not of more sorwe telle. 

And who so wiste alle^ be my trouthe^ 590 

My sorwe_, but he hadde rowthe 

And pitee of my sorwes smerte^ 

That man hath a fendely herte. 

For who so seethe me firste on morwe 

May seyn^ he hath mette with sorwe^ 595 

For y am Sorwe_, and Sorwe ys y. 

Alias ! and I wol tel the why^ 

My sorowe ys turned to pleynynge_, 

And al my lawghtre to wepynge^ 

My glade thoghtys to hevynesse^ 600 

In travayle ys myn ydelnesse^ 

And eke my reste^ my wele is woo^ 

My goode ys harme^ and ever-moo 

In wrathe ys turned my pleynge_, 

And my delyte into sorwynge. 605 

Myn hele ys turned into sekenesse^ 

In drede ys al my sykernesse^ 

To derke ys turned al my lyghte^ 

My wytte ys f oly^ my day ys nyghte^ 

My love ys hate^ my slepe wakynge, 610 

My merthe and meles ys f astynge^ 

My countenaunce ys nycete^ 

And al abawed^ where so I be. 

My pees in pledynge and in werre — 

AUas^ how myght I fare werre! 6l5 

My boldenesse ys turned to shame^ 

591 had. 



432 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

For fals Fortune hath pleyde a game 

Atte the chesse with me_, allas^ the while ! 

The trayteresse fals^ and ful of gyle^ 

That al behoteth^ and no thyng halte^ 620 

She gethe upryght and yet she is halte^ 

That baggeth f oule and loketh f aire. 

The dispitouse debonaire^ 

That skorneth many a creature ; 

An ydole of fals portrayture 625 

Ys she, for she wol sone wrien. 

She is the monstres hed ywrien. 

As fylthe over ystrawed with flouris. 

Hir moste worshippe and hir flour ys 

To lyen, for that ys hyr nature^ 630 

Withoute feythe, lawe, or mesure; 

She ys fals ; and ever lawghynge 

With one yghe, and that other wepynge ; 

That ys broght up she sette al doun, 

I lykne hyr to the scorpioun, 6S5 

That ys a fals flateyrynge beste. 

For with his hede he maketh feste. 

But al amydde hys flaterynge, 

With hys tayle hyt wol stynge. 

And envenyme, and so wol she. 640 

She ys thenvyouse charite 

That ys ay fals, and semeth wele. 

So turneth she hyr false whele 

Aboute, for hyt ys nothynge stable, 

Now by the fire, now at table, 645 

For many oon hath she thus yblent. 

She ys pley of enchauntement. 

That semeth oon and ys not soo; 

The false thefe, what hath she doo, 

Trowest thou? by oure Lorde, I wol the sey. 650 

626 wrien varien. 627 mowstres. 643 fals. 646 thus she. 649 fals. 



THE BOOKE OF THE DUCHESSE 433 

At the chesse with me she gan to pleye; 
With hir false draughtes dyvers 
She staale on me^ and toke my fers. 
And whan I sawgh my fers away^ 

AUas^ I kouthe no lenger play^ 655 

But seyde^ 'farewel^ swete^ ywys^ 
And fare-wel al that ever ther ys !' 
Therwith Fortune seyde^ 'chek here^ 
And mate in the myd poynt of the chekkere' 
With a poune errante^ alias ! 660 

Ful craftier to pley she was 
Than Athalus^ that made the game 
First of the chesse^ so was hys name; 
But Go i wolde I had^ oones or twyes^ 

Ykoude and knowe the jeupardyes 665 

That koi^^ the Greke Pictagoras; 
I shulde have pleyde the bet at ches^ 
And kept my fers the bet therby_, 
And thogh^ wherto ? for trewely 

I holde that wysshe nat worthe a stree ; 670 

Hyt had be never the bet for me. 
For Fortune kan so many a wyle^ 
Ther be but fewe kan hir begile^ 
And eke she ys the lasse to blame ; 

My selfe I wolde have do the same^ 675 

Before God^ hadde I be as she; 
She oght the more excused be. 
For this I say yet more therto^, 
Had I be God and myghte have do 

My wille^ whan my fers she kaught^ 680 

I wolde have drawe the same draught. 
For also wys God yive me reste^ 
I dar wel swere she tooke the beste ! 
But throgh that draught I have lorne 

652 fals. 669 thoght; trewly. 676 hadde as. 680 she my fers. 683 he. 



434 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

My blysse^ allas^ that I was borne ! 685 

For evermore^ y trowe trewly^ 

For al my wille^ my luste holly 

Ys turned^ but yet^ what to doone ? 

Be oure lorde^ hyt ys to deye soone^ 

For no thynge I leve hyt noght^ 690 

But lyve and deye ryght in this thoght. 

For there nys planete in firmament^ 

Ne in ayre^ ne in erthe noon element^, 

That they ne yive me a yifte echon 

Of wepynge, whan I am allon. 695 

For whan that I avise me wel^ 

And bethenke me every del^ 

How that ther lyeth in rekenynge 

Inne my sorwe for no thynge; 

And how ther levyth noe gladnesse 700 

May gladde me of my distresses 

And how I have loste suffisance^ 

And therto I have no plesance^ 

Than may I say^ I have ryght noght. 

And whan al this falleth in my thoght^ 705 

Allas^ than am I overcome ! 

For that ys doon ys not to come. 

I have more sorowe than Tantale/' 

And whan I herde hym tel thys tale 

This pitously^ as I yow telle^ 710 

Unnethe myght y lenger duelle^ 

Hyt dyd myn hert so moche woo. 

*'A\, goode sir !" quod !_, *'say not soo ! 

Have somme pitee on your nature 

That formed yow to creature^ 715 

Hemembre yow of Socrates^ 

For he ne counted nat thre strees 

Of noght that Fortune koude doo/' 

701 glad. 



THE BOOKE OF THE DUCHESSE 4^35 

**No_,'' quod he^ '*I kan not soo/' 

"Why so^ good syr? parde/' quod y, 720 

"Ncj, say noght soo for trewely^ 

Thogh ye had loste the ferses twelve^ 

And ye for sorwe mordred yourselve^ 

Ye sholde be dampned in this cas 

By as goode ryght as Medea was^ 725 

That slowgh hir children for Jasoun^ 

And Phyllis also for Demophoun 

Henge hirselfe^ so weylaway ! 

For he had broke his terme day 

To come to hir ; another rage 730 

Had Dydo^ the queue eke of Cartage^ 

That slough hirselfe_, for Eneas 

Was f als^ which a f oole she was ! 

And Ecquo died for Narcisus 

Nolde nat love hir_, and ryght thus 735 

Hath many another foly doon. 

And for Dalida died Sampson 

That slough hymselfe with a pilere. 

But ther is no man alyve here 

Wolde for a fers make this woo V 740 

''Why so?" quod he^ "hyt ys nat soo^ 

Thou woste ful lytel what thou menyst^ 

I have loste more than thow wenyst/' 

'*Loo^ sir^ how may that be/' quod y, 

''Good sir^ telle me al hooly 745 

In what wyse^ how^ why, and wherefore 

That ye have thus youre blysse lore/' 

"Blythely/' quod he^ "come sytte adoun^ 

I telle the up condicioun 

That thou shalt hooly with al thy wytte 750 

Doo thyn entent to herkene hitte/' 

"Yis^ syr/' "Swere thy trouthe therto/' 

720 yis parde. 721 say om.; trewly. 744 sir how she that may. 
749 hyt the up a. 



436 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

''Gladly/' *'Do thanne holde hereto/' 

''I shal ryght blythely^ so God me save^ 

Hooly^ with al the witte I have^ 755 

Here yow^ as wel as I kan/' 

"A Goddys halfe/' quod he^ and began; 

*'Syr/' quod he^ ''sith firste I kouthe 

Have any maner wytte fro youthe^ 

Or kyndely understondynge 760 

To comprehende^ in any thynge_, 

What love was in myn oune wytte^ 

Dredeles I have ever yitte 

Be tributary e^ and yive rente 

To Love hooly with goode entente^ 765 

And throgh plesaunce become his thralle^ 

With good wille^ body^ hert^ and alle. 

Al this I putte in his servage 

As to my lorde^ and did homage^ 

And ful devoutely I prayed hym to^ 770 

He shulde besette myn herte so_, 

That hyt plesance to hym were^ 

And worshippe to my lady dere. 

And this was longe and many a yere 

Or that myn herte was set owhere^ 775 

That I did thus^ and nyste why^ 

I trowe hit came me kyndely^ 

Per a venture I was therto moste able 

As a white walle or a table; 

For hit ys redy to eachche and take 780 

Al that men wil theryn make^ 

Whethir so men wil portrey or peynte. 

Be the werkes never so queynte. 

And thilke tyme I ferde ryght so 

I was able to have lerned tho^ 785 

And to have kende as wel or better, 

753 here to. 771 hert. 782 peynt. 783 queynt. 



THE BOOKE OF THE DUCHESSE 437 

Paraunter^ other arte or letre; 

But for love came firste in my thoght^ 

Therfore I forgate hyt noght. 

I ches love to my firste crafte^ 790 

Therfore hit ys with me lafte; • 

For why^ I toke hyt of so yonge age^ 

That malyce had my corage 

Nat that tyme turned to nothynge 

Thorgh to mochel knowlachynge. 795 

For that tyme Yowthe^ my maistresse^ 

Governed me in ydelnesse^ 

For hyt was in my firste youthe^ 

And thoo ful lytel goode y couthe; 

For al my werkes were flyttynge 800 

That tyme^ and al my thoght varyinge^ 

Al were to me ylyche goode 

That I knewe thoo^ but thus hit stoode. 

Hit happed^, that I came on a day 

Into a place^ ther that I say 805 

Trewly the fayrest companye 

Off ladyes^ that evere man with ye 

Had seen togedres in oo place. 

Shal I clepe hyt happe other grace 

That broght me there? nay^ but Fortune^ 810 

That ys to lyen ful comune^ 

The fals trayteresse pervers ! 

God wolde I koude clepe hir wers^ 

For now she worcheth me ful woo^ 

And I wo] tel sone why soo; 815 

Amonge these ladyes thus echon^ 

Soth to seyne^ sawgh y oon 

That was lyke noon of the route ; 

For I dar swere^ withoute doute^ 

That as the somerys sonne bryghte 820 

790 first. 798 first. 817 y sawgh. 



438 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Ys fairer^ clerer^ and hath more lyghte 

Than any other planete in hevene^ 

The moone^ or the sterres sevene^ 

For al the worlde^ so had she 

Surm©untede hem al of beaute^ 825 

Of maner^ and of comelynesse^ 

Of stature^ and of wel sette gladnesse^ 

Of godelyhede so wel besey ; 

Shortly what shal y more sey? 

By God^ and by his halwes twelve 830 

Hyt was my swete^ ryght al hir selve ! 

She had so stedfaste countenaunce^ 

So noble porte^ and meyntenaunee ; 

And Love^ that had wel herd my boone^ 

Had espyed me thus soone^ 835 

That she ful sone^ in my thoght^ 

As helpe me God_, so was y-kaught 

So sodenly^ that I ne toke 

No maner counseyl^ but at hir loke^ 

And at myn hert; for why^ hir eyen 840 

So gladly^ I trow^ myn herte seyen^ 

That purely tho myn oune thoght 

Seyde hit were beter serve hir for noght 

Than with another to be wel. 

And hyt was sothe^ for everedel 845 

I wil anoon-ryght telle the why: 

I sawgh hyr daunce so comelely^ 

Carole and synge so swetly^ 

Lawghe and pley so womanly^ 

And loke so debonairly^ 850 

So goodely speke^ and so frendly^ 

That certes y trowe^ that evermore 

Nas seyne so blysful a tresore. 

827 of so. 828 and so. 829 mo7^e om. 830 His om. 840 And But; hert hest. 
853 so a. 



THE BOOKE OF THE DUCHESSE 439 

For every heer oa hir hede^ 

Soth to seyne^ lif ^ was not rede^ 855 

Ne nouther yeloV^ . ne broune hyt nas^ 

Me thoghte most lyke gold hyt was 

And which eyen my lady hadde ! 

Debonair^ goode^ glade_, and sadde^ 

Symple^ of goode mochel^ noght to wyde; 860 

Therto hir looke nas not asyde 

Ne overthwert^ but besette so wele 

Hyt drewh and tooke up_, everydele^ 

Al that on hir gan beholde. 

Hir eyen semed anoon^ she wolde 865 

Have mercy — foolys wenden soo_, 

But hyt was never the rather doo ! 

Hyt nas no countrefeted thynge_, 

Hyt was hir oune pure lokynge^ 

That the goddesse^ Dame Nature^ 870 

Had made hem opene by mesure 

And cloos ; for were she never so glad, 

Hyr lokynge was not foly sprad, 

Ne wildely^ thogh that she pleyde; 

But ever me thoght hir eyen seyde 875 

'Be God^ my wrathe ys al f oryive !' 

Therwith hir lyste so wel to lyve^ 

That dulnesse was of hir adrad; 

She nas to sobre^ ne to glad. 

In alle thynges more mesure 880 

Had never_, I trow^ creature. 

But many oon with hire loke she herte, 

And that sate hyr ful lytel at herte. 

For she knewe nothynge of her thoght. 

But whither she knew, or knew it nowght, 885 

Algate she ne rought of hem a stree. 

To gete hyr love noo nerre was he 

857 thog-ht; gold om. 882-3 hert. 884 knowe. 



440 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

That woned at home^ than he in Ynde ; 

The formest was alway behynde. 

But goode folke over al other 890 

She loved^ as man may do hys brother^ 

Of whiche love she was wounder large 

In skilful placis that bere charge. 

But which a visage had she thertoo ! 
AUas^ myn hert ys wonder woo 895 

That I ne kan discryven hyt! 
Me lakketh both Englyssh and wit 
For to undo hyt at the fuUe; 
And eke my spiritis be so duUe 

So grete a thynge for to devyse. 900 

I have no witte that kan suffise 
To comprehende hir beaute , 
But thus moche dar I sayn^ that she 
Was rody^ fressh^ and lyvely hewed; 

And every day hir beaute newed^ 905 

And negh hir face was alderbest; 
For certys Nature had swich lest 
To make that f aire^ that trewly she 
Was hir chefe patrone of beaute^ 

And chefe ensample of al hir werke^ 910 

And moustre; for^ be hyt never so derke. 
Me thynkyth I se hir evermoo. 
And yet moreover^ thogh al thoo 
That ever levede were now alyve^ 

Ne sholde ha founde to diskryve 915 

Yn al hir face a wikked sygne^ 
For hit was sad^ symple^ and benygne. 

And which a goodely softe speche 
Had that swete^ my lyves leche^ 

So frendely^ and so wel y grounded^ 920 

Up al resoun so wel yfounded_, 

888 than that. 890 good. 904 white rody. 



THE BOOKE OF THE DUCHESSE 441 

And so tretable to al goode^ 

That I dar swere wel by the roode 

Of eloquence was never founde 

So swete a sownynge facounde^ 925 

Ne trewer tonged^ ne skorned lasse^ 

Ne bet koude hele^ that by the masse 

I diirste swere^ thogh the Pape hit songe^ 

That ther was never yet throgh hir tonge 

Man ne woman gretely harmed. 930 

As for hir_, hit was al harme hyd; 

Ne lasse flaterynge in hir word^ 

That purely hir symple recorde 

Was founde as trewe as any bonde 

Or trouthe of any mannys honde. 9S5 

Ne chyde she koude never a dele^ 

That knoweth al the worlde ful wele. 

But swiche a fairenesse of a nekke 

Had that swete^ that boon nor brekke 

Nas ther non seen that mys-satte. 940 

Hyt was white^ smothe^ streght^ and pure flatte^ 

Wythouten hole; or canel-boon^ 

As be semynge^ had she noon^ 

Hyr throte^ as I have now memoyre^ 

Semed a rounde toure of yvoyre^ 945 

Of goode gretenesse^ and noght to grete. 

And goode faire White she hete^ 

That was my lady name^ ryghte. 

She was bothe faire and bryghte^ 

She had not hir name wronge; 950 

Ryght faire shuldres_, and body longe 

She had^ and armes; every lyth 

Fattyssh^ flesshy^ not grete therwith^ 

Ryght white handes^ and nayles rede; 

Rounde brestes^ and of good brede 955 

931 hir om. 



M2 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Hyr hippes were^ a straight flat bakke. 

I knewe on hir noon other lakke^ 

That al hir lymmes nere pure sywynge 

In as ferre as I had knowynge. 

Therto she koude so wel pley^ 960 

Whan that hir lyst^ that I dar sey 

That she was lyke to torche bryght 

That every man may take of lyght 

Ynogh^ and hyt hathe never the lesse. 

Of maner and of comlynesse 965 

Ryght so ferde my lady dere; 

For every wight of hir manere 

Myght eachche ynogh^ yif that he wolde^ 

Yif he had ejen hir to beholde; 

For I dar swere wel^ yif that she 970 

Had amonge ten thousande be. 

She wolde have be, at the lest, 

A ehefe meroure of al the fest, 

Thogh they had stonde in a rowe, 

To mennys eyen koude have knowe. 975 

For wher so men had pleyed or wakyed. 

Me thoght the felysshyppe as naked 

Withouten hir, that sawgh I oones, 

As a corowne withoute stones. 

Trewly she was to myn eye 980 

The soleyne Fenix of Arabye, 

For ther levyth nevir but oon ; 

Ne swich as she ne knowe I noon. 

To speke of godenesse, trewly, she 

Had as moche debonairyete 985 

As ever had Hester in the Bible, 

And more, yif more were possyble. 

And sothe to seyne, therwythalle 

She had a wytte so generalle, 



II 



THE BOOKE OF THE DUCHESSE 443 

So hoole enclyned to alle goode^ 990 

That al hir wytte was set, by the rode, 

Withoute malyce, upon gladnesse. 

And therto I sawgh never yet a lesse 

Harmeful than she was in doynge. 

I sey nat that she ne had knowynge 995 

What harme was, or elles she 

Had koude no good, so thenketh me. 

And trewly, for to speke of trouthe 

But she had hadde, hyt hadde be routhe; 

Therof she had so moche hyr dele, 1000 

And I dar seyn, and swere hyt wele. 

That Trouthe hymselfe over al and alle . 

Had chose hys maner principalle 

In hir, that was his restynge place. 

Therto she hadde the moste grace 1005 

To have stedefaste perseveraunce 

And esy atempry governaunce 

That ever I knewe, or wyste yitte. 

So pure suffraunt was hir wytte. 

And reson gladly she understoode; 1010 

Hyt folowed wel she koude goode. 

She used gladly to do wel. 

These were hir maners everydel; 

Therwith she loved so wel ryght. 

She wronge do wolde to no wyght, 1015 

No wyght myght doo hir noo shame. 

She loved so wel hir oune name 

Hyr lust to holde no wyght in honde, 

Ne, be thou siker, she wolde not fonde 

To holde no wyght in balaunce 1020 

By halfe worde, ne by countenaunce. 

But yif men wolde upon hir lye ; 

Ne sende men into Walakye, 

To Pruj^se, and into Tartarye, 



444 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

To Alysaundre^ ne into Turkye^ 1025 

And byd hym f aste anoon^ that he 

Goo hoodeles to the drye se^ 

And come home by the Carrenare^ 

And sey^ 'Sir^ be now ryght ware^ 

That I may of yow here seyn 1030 

Worshyppe^ or that ye come agejn/ 

She ne used no suche knakkes smale. 

But wherfore that y tel my tale? 
Ryght on thys same^ as I have seyde^ 

Was hooly al my love leyde; 1035 

For certes^ she was^ that swete wife^ 
My suffisaunce_, my luste_, my lyfe^ 
Myn happe^ myn hele^ and al my blysse^ 
My worldys welfare and my lisse^ 

And I hooly hires^ and everydel!" 1040 

*'By oure lord^'' quod !_, "y trowe yow wel^ 
Hardely_, your love was wel besette. 
I not how ye myght have doo bette/' 
''Bette? ne no wyght so wele/' quod he^ 
"Y trowe hyt wel^ sir/' quod I^ "parde !'* 1045 

''Nay^ leve hyt wel!" *'Sire^ so do I; 
I leve yow wel^ that trewly 
Yow thoghte^ that she was the best^ 
And to be-holde the alderfayrest^ 

Who soo had loked hir with your ejen." 1050 

''With myn? nay^ al that hir seyen 
Seyde and swore hyt was soo ; 
And thogh they ne hadde^ I wolde thoo 
Have loved best my lady free. 

Thogh I had hadde al the beaute 1055 

That ever had Alcipyades^ 
And al the strengthe of Ercules^ 
And therto had the worthynesse 

1027 into. 1039 lisse goddesse. 



THE BOOKE OF THE DUCHESSE 445 

Of Alysaunder^ and al the rychesse 

That ever was in Babyloyne, IO6O 

In Cartage^ or in Macedoyne^ 
Or in Rome^ or in Nynyve; 
And to also as hardy be 
As was Ector^ so have I joye^ 

That Achilles slough at Troye — 1065 

And therfore was he slayn alsoo_, 
In a temple^ for bothe twoo 
Were slayne^ he and Antylegyus — 
And so seyth Dares Frygius^ 

For love of Polixena; 1070 

Or ben as wis as Mynerva^ 
I wolde ever^ withoute drede_, 
Have loved hir_, for I most nede. 
Nede? nay_, trewly^ I gabbe no we; 

Noght *nede/ and I wol telle howe; 1075 

For of goode wille myn hert hyt wolde^ 
And eke to love hir I was holde 
As for the fairest and the beste. 
She was as good^ so have I reste^ 

As ever was Penolopee of Grece^ 1080 

Or as the noble wife Lucrece^ 
That was the best^ he telleth thus^ 
The Romayne^ Tytus Lyvyus. 
She was as good^ and nothynge lyke^ 

Thogh hir stories be autentyke; 1085 

Algate she was as trewe as she — 
But wherfore that I telle the? 
Whan I firste my lady say^ 
I was ryght yonge^ sothe to say^ 

And ful grete nede I hadde to lerne; IO9O 

W^han my herte wolde yerne 
To love^ hyt was a grete empryse. 
^ut as my wytte koude beste suffise_, 



446 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

After my yonge childely wytte^ 

Withoute drede^ I besette hytte^ 1095 

To love hir in my beste wyse 

To do hir worshippe^ and the servise 

That I koude thoo^ be my trouthe^ 

Withoute feynynge outher slouthe; 

For wonder feyne I wolde hir se^ 1100 

So mochel hyt amended me^ 

That whan I sawgh hir first a-morwe 

I was warished of al my sorwe_, 

Of al day after til hyt were eve; 

Me thoghte nothyng myghte me greve 1105 

Were my sorwes never so smerte. 

And yet she sytte so myn herte^ 

That by my trouthe y nolde noght^ 

For ay thys worlde^ oute of my thoght 

Leve my lady^ noo^ trewly !" "* 1110 

*'Now by my trouthe^ sir^'' quod ly 
"Me thynketh ye have suche a chaunee 
As shryfte wythoute repentaunee." 

''Repentaunce? nay^ fy !" quod he^ 
''Shulde y now repente me 1115 

To love ? nay^ certis^ than were I wel 
Wers than was Achetofel^ 
Or Anthenor^ so have I joye^ 
The traytore that betraysed Troye ; 

Or the false Genelloun, 1120 

He that purchased the tresoun 
Of Rowlande and of Olyvere. 
Nay^ while I am alyve here_, 
I nyl foryete hir never moo." 

''Now^ good syr/' quod I^ as thoo^ 1125 

'*Ye han wel tolde me here before^ 
Hyt ys no nede to reherse more^ 

1096 best. 1103 warshed. 1105 thoght. 1120 fals. 1125 as om. 



THE BOOKE OF THE DUCHESSE 447 

How ye sawgh hir firste, and where ; 

But wolde ye tel me the manere 

To hire which was your first speche? 1130 

Therof I wolde yow beseche; 

And how she knewe first your thoght_, 

Whether ye loved hir or noght; 

And telleth me eke what ye have lore 

I herde yow telle herebefore/' 1135 

**Yee_,'' he seyde^ ''thow nost what thou menyst; 
I have lost more than thou wenyst." 

"What losse ys that?'' quod I thoo. 
"Nyl she not love yow? ys hyt soo? 

Or have ye oght doon amys^ 1140 

That she hathe lefte yow^ ys hyt this? 
For Goddys love^ telle me alle/' 

"Before God/' quod he^ "and I shalle. 
I say ryght as I have seyde^ 

On hir was al my love leyde^ , 1145 

And yet she nyste hyt never a del 
Noght longe tyme^ leve hyt wel. 
For be ryght siker^ I durste noght 
For al this worlde tel hir my thoght^ 

Ne I wolde have wraththed hir^ trewly. 1150 

For wostow why^ she was lady 
Of the body^ she had the hert^ 
And who hath that may not astert. 
But^ for to kepe me fro ydelnesse^ 

Trewly I did my besynesse 1155 

To make songes^ as I best koude^ 
And ofte tyme I songe hem loude^ 
And made songes this a grete dele^ 
Al thogh I koude not make so wele 

Songes^ ne knowe the arte alle 11 60 

As koude Lamekys sone, Tuballe^ 

1146 nat never. 1154 so fro. 1160 ne the. 



448 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

That founde out firste the art of songe; 

For as hys brothres hamers ronge 

Upon hys anvelet^ up and doun^ 

Therof he tooke the first soun. 1165 

But Grekes seyn Pictagoras^ 

That he the firste fynder was 

Of the arte; Aurora telleth soq_, 

But therof no fors of hem twoo. 

Algatis^ songes thus I made 1170 

Of my felynge^ myn hert to glade_, 

And loo^ this was myn alther-first — 

I not wher hyt were the werst — 

'Lorde_, hyt maketh myn herte lyght 

Whan I thenke on that swete wyght 1175 

That is so semely on to see ; 

And wisshe to God^ hit myght so bee 

That she wolde holde me for hir knyght^ 

My lady^ that is so f aire and bryght !' 

Now have I tolde^ the sothe to say^ 1180 

My firste songe. Upon a day 
I bethoghte me what woo 
And sorwe that I sufFred thoo 
For hir^ and yet she wyst hyt noght^ 

Ne tel hir durst I nat my thoght. 1185 

'Alias/ thoght I, 'j kan no rede ! 
And_, but I telle hir^ I nam but dede. 
And yif I telle hyr^ to sey ryght sothe^ 
I am adred she wol be wrothe. 

AUas^ what shal I thanne doo?' 1190 

In this debate I was so woo 
Me thoght myn herte brast a-tweyne. 
So at the laste_, sothe to sayne^ 

1167 first. 1172 myn om.; this thus. 1174 hert. 1181 first. 1182 bethoght. 
1187 am. 1192 hert. 1193 last. 



THE BOOKE OF THE DUCHESSE 419 

I be-thoght me^ that nature 

Xe formed never in creature 1195 

So moche beaute^ trewely 

And bounte^ wythoute mercy. 

In hope of that^ my tale I tolde 

With sorwe^ as that I never sholde; 

For nedys_, and mawgree my hede^ 1200 

I most have tolde hir^ or be dede. 

I not wel how that I beganne — 

Ful evel reherse hyt I kan — 

x\nd eke^ as helpe me God withalle^ 

I trowe hyt was in the dismalle 1205 

That was the ten woundes of Egipte; 

For many a worde I overskipte 

In my tale^ for pure fere 

Lest my wordys mys-sette were. 

With sorweful herte^ and woundes dede^ 1210 

Softe and quakynge for pure drede 

And shame_, and styntynge in my tale 

For ferde^ and myn hewe al pale^ 

Ful ofte I wexe bothe pal and rede. 

Bowynge to hir I heng the hede — 1215 

I durste nat ones loke hir on — 

For witte. maner^ and al was goon. 

I seyde 'mercy V and no more. 

Hyt nas no game^ hyt sate me sore. 
So at the laste^ sothe to seyne^ 1220 

Whan that myn hert was come ageyne^ 
To telle shortely al my speche_, 
With hool herte I gan hir beseche 
That she wolde be my lady swete; 

And swore^ and gan hir hertely hete 1225 

Ever to be stedfast and trewe^ 
And love hir alwey fresshly newe_, 

1196 trevviy. 1222 al at. 



450 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

And never other lady have^ 

And al hir worshippe for to save. 

As I best koude, I swore hir this^ 1230 

Tor youres is alle^ that ever ther ys^ 

For evermore_, myn herte svrete^ 

And never to false yow^ but I mete^ 

I nyl^ as wysse God helpe me soo !' 

And whan I had my tale ydoo^ 1235 

God wote^ she acounted nat a stree 

Of al my tale^ so thoghte me ! 

To telle shortly ryght as hyt ys^ 

Trewly hir answere^ hyt was this — 

I kan not now wel counterfete 1240 

Hyr wordys^ but this was the grete 

Of hir answere^ she sayde 'nay !' 

AUe outerly^ allas^ that day ! 

The sorowe I sufFred^ and the woo 

That trewly Cassandra^ that soo 1245 

Bewayled the destruccioun 

Of Troy and of Ilyoun 

Had never swich sorwe as I thoo. 

I durst no more say ther-too 

For pure fere^ but stale away; 1250 

And thus I lyved ful many a day^ 

That trewely I hadde no nede 

Ferther than my beddes hede 

Never a day to seche sorwe. 

I fonde hyt redy every morwe^ 1255 

For why^ I loved hyr in no gere. 

So hit befel another yere^ 

I thoughte ones I wolde fonde 

To do hir knowe and understonde 

My woo^ and she wel understode 1260 

That I ne wilned no thynge but gode 

1237 thoght. 



THE BOOKE OF THE DUCHESSE 451 

And worshippe^ and to kepe hir name 

Over alle thynges^ and dred hir shame^ 

And was so besy hyr to serve. 

And pitee were I shulde sterve, 1265 

Syth that I wilned noon harme, ywys. 

So whan my lady knewe al thys 

My lady yaf me al hooly 

The noble yifte of hir mercy_, 

Savynge hir worshippe by al weyes, 1270 

Dredles, I mene noon other weyes. 

And therwith she yaf me a rynge_, 

I trowe hyt was the first thynge. 

But yif myn hert was iwaxe 

Gladde, that is no nede to axe. 1275 

As helpe me God, I was as blyve 

Reysed as fro dethe to lyve, 

Of al happes the alderbeste. 

The gladdest, and the moste at reste ; 

For trewely that swete wyght, 1280 

Whan I had wrong and she the ryght, 

She wolde alway so goodely 

Foryeve me so debonairely. 

In al my yowthe, in alle chaunce, 

She tooke me in hir governaunce. 1285 

Therwyth she was alway so trewe 

Our j oye was ever-ylyche newe. 

Oure hertys werne so evene a payre 

That never nas that oon contrarye 

To that other, for noo woo. 1290 

For sothe ylyche they sufFred thoo 

Oo blysse and eke oo sorwe bothe; 

Ylyche they were, bothe glad and wrothe ; 

Al was us oon, withoute were; 

And thus we lyved ful many a yere 1295 

1280 trewly. 1281 the om. 1284 al (2). 



452 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

So wel^ I kan nat telle how !" 

*'Sir/' quod I^ "where is she now?'' 

"Now I" quod he^ and stynte anoon. . . . 

Therwith he waxe as dede as stoon^ 

And seyde^ "Allas^ that I was bore! 1300 

That was the losse that here before 

I tolde the^ that I hadde lorne. 

Bethenke how I seyde herebeforne 

'Thow wost ful lytel what thow menyst^ 

I have lost more than thow wenyst/ 1305 

God wote^ allas^ ryght that was she !" 

"AUas^ sir^ how? what may that be?" 

"She ys ded I" "nay \" "Yis^ be my trouthe I" 

"Is that youre losse ? be God_, hyt ys routhe V 

And with that worde^ ryght anoon 1310 

They gan to strake forth^ al was doon^ 
For that tyme the herte huntynge. 
With that me thoghte that this kynge 
Anoon gan homewarde for to ryde 

Unto a place was there besyde^ 1315 

Which was from us but a lyte^ 
A longe castel_, with wallys white^ 
Be seynt Johan^ on a ryche hille_, 
As me mette; but thus hyt fille — 

Ryght thus me mette^ as I yow telle — 1320 

That in the castell ther was a belle^ 
As hyt hadde smyten oures twelve. 

Therewyth I awooke my selve^ 
And fonde me lyinge in my bedde^ 

And the booke that I hadde redde 1325 

Of Alcione and Seys the kynge 
And of the goddys of slepynge^ 
I fond hyt in myn honde ful evene. 
Thoght I_, "Thys ys so queynt a swevene 

1313 thoght. 1314 Anoon om. 1322 smyte. 



THE BOOKE OF THE DUCHESSE 453 

That I wol^ be processe of tyme^ 1330 

Fonde to put this swevene in ryme 

As I kan best^ and that anoon." 

This was my swevene^ now hit ys doon. 

Explicit the Bohe of the Duchesse, 



THE COMPLAYNT OF MARS 

(1) 

''Gladeth^ ye foules^ of the morowe gray^ 

Loo^ Venus ! rysen amonge yon rowes rede ; 

And floures fressh^ honouren ye this day^ 

For when the sunne uprist then wol ye sprede. 

But ye lovers^ that lye in eny drede^ 5 

Fleeth^ lest wikked tonges yow espye_, 

Loo^ yonde the sunne^ the candel of jalosye. 

(2) 

Wyth teres blew^ and with a wounded hert 

Taketh your leve^ and with seynt John to borowe 

Apeseth sumwhat of your sorowes smert; 10 

Tyme cometh efte that cese shal your sorowe, 

The glade nyght ys worthe an hevy morowe/' 

Seynt Valentyne^ a foule thus herd I synge 

Upon your day^ er sunne gan up-sprynge* 

(3) 

Yet sange this foule_, *'I rede yow al a wake^ 15 

And ye that han not chosen in humble wyse_, 

Without repentynge cheseth yow your make; 

And ye that han ful chosen as I devise^ 

Yet at this fest renoveleth your servyse^ 

Confermeth hyt perpetuely to dure^ 20 

And paciently taketh your aventure. 

(4) 

And for the worship of this highe fest 
Yet wol 1, in my briddes wise^ synge 

1 0/ on; follies lovers. 2 yon yow. 3 ye the. 4 ye they. 9 sent. 12 glad. 



THE COMPLAYNT OF MARS A55 

The sentence of the compleynt^ at the lest^ 

That woful Mars made atte departyng 25 

Fro fresshe Venus in a morwnyng^ 

Whan Phebus with his firy torches rede 

Ransaked every lover in hys drede. — " 

(5) 

Whilom the thridde hevenes lord above 

As wel by hevenysh revolucioun 30 

As by desert^ hath wonne Venus his love_, 

And she hath take him in subjeccioun^ 

And as a maistresse taught him his lessoun_, 

Commaundynge him that nevere in her servise 

He ner so bolde no lover to dispise. 25 

(6) 

For she forbad him jelosye at alle_, , 

And cruelte, and bost^ and tyrannye^ 

She made him at her lust so humble and talle 

That when her deyned to cast on hym her ye^ 

He toke in pacience to lyve or dye ; 40 

And thus she brydeleth him in her maner 

With nothing but with scourging of her cher. 

(7) 

Who regneth now in blysse but Venus^ 

That hath thys worthy knyght in governaunce ? 

Who syngeth now but Mars^ that serveth thus 45 

The faire Venus causer of plesaunce? 

He bynt him to perpetuall obeisaunce^ 

And she bynt her to loven him for ever^ 

But so be that his trespace hyt tlesever. 

28 hath every. 38 him om.; calle. A2 scourging stering. 46 fair. 48 love. 



456 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

(8) 
Thus be they knyt^ and regnen as in heven 50 

Be lokyng moost; — til hyt fil on a tyde 
That by her bothe assent was set a steven 
That Mars shal entre as fast as he may glyde 
Into hir nexte paleys to abyde^ 

Walkynge hys cours til she had him atake^ 55 

And he preiede her to haste her for his sake. 

(9) 

Then seyde he thus^ ''Myn hertis lady suete. 

Ye knowe wel my myschefe in that place^ 

For sikirly til that I with yow mete^ 

My lyfe stant ther in aventure and grace; 60 

But when I se the beaute of your faee^ 

Ther ys no dred of deth may do me smert_, 

For alle your lust is ese to myn hert." 

(10) 

She hath so grete compassion on her knyght 

That dwelleth in solitude til she come^ 65 

For hyt stode so that ylke tyme no wight 

Counseyled hym^ ne seyde to hym welcome 

That nyghe her witte for sorowe was overcome^ 

Wherfore she sped her as fast in her wey 

Almost in oon day as he dyd in twey. 70 

(11) 

The grete joye that was betwex hem two 

When they be mette^ ther may no tunge tel^ 

Ther is no more^ but unto bed thei go_, 

And thus in joy and blysse I let hem duel^ 

This worthi Mars^ that is of knyghthode wel^ 75 

The flour of feyrenesse lappeth in his armes^ 

And Venus kysseth Mars the god of armes. 

54 next. 56 haste faste. 



THE COAIPLAYNT OF MARS 457 

(12) 

Sojourned hath this Mars^ of which I rede^ 

In chambre amyd the paleys prively 

A certeyn tyme^ til him fel a drede 80 

Throgh Phebus^ that was comen hastely 

Within the paleys yates ful sturdely 

With torche in honde^ of which the stremes bryght 

On Venus chambre knokkeden ful lyght. 

(IS) 

The chambre ther as ley this fresshe quene 85 

Depeynted was with white boles grete, 

And by the lyght she knew^ that shone so shene^ 

That Phebus cam to bren hem with his hete. 

This cely Venus^ nygh dreynt in teres wete^ 

Enbraceth Mars and seyde^ "alas^ I dye^ 90 

The torch is come that al this world wol wrie/' 

(14) • 

Up sterte Mars^ hym luste not to slepe^ 

When he his lady herde so compleyne; 

But for his nature was not for to wepe^ 

In stid of teres^ fro his eyen tweyne 95 

The firi sparkes brosten out for peyne; 

And hent his hauberke that ley hym besyde; 

Fie wold he not^ ne myght himselven hide. 

(15) 

He throweth on his helme of huge wyght^ 

And girt him with his swerde; and in his honde 100 

His myghty spere^ as he was wont to fyght^ 

He shaketh so that almost hit towonde; 

Ful hevy was he to walken over londe^ 

He may not holde with Venus companye^, 

But bad her fleen_, lest Phebus her espye. 105 

84 knokken. 92 stert ; lust. 95 twyne. 99 three. 



458 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

(16) 
O woful Mars ! alas^ what maist thou seyn^ 
That in the paleys of thy disturbaunce 
Art left byhynde^ in peril to be sleyn; 
And yet therto ys double thy penaunce^ 

For she that hath thyn hert in governaunce 110 

Is passed halfe the stremes of thin yen^ 
That thou ner swift^ wel maist thou wepe and crien ! 

(17) 
Now fleeth Venus into Cilinios toure^ 
With voide cours^ for fere of Phebus lyght. 
Alas^ and ther ne hath she no socoure^ 115 

For she ne founde ne saugh no maner wyght; 
And eke as ther she had but litil myght^ 
Wherfor^ herselven for to hyde and save. 
Within the gate she fledde into a cave. 

(18) 
Derke was this cave^ and smokyng as the hel^ 120 

Not but two pas within the yate hit stode. 
A naturel day in derk I let her duel; 
Now wol I speke of Mars^ furiouse and wode^ 
For sorow he wold have sene his herte blode^ 
Sith that he myght done her no company e^ 125 

He ne roghte not a myte for to dye. 

(19) 
So feble he wex for hete and for his wo^ 
That nygh he swelt^ he myght unnethe endure. 
He passeth but a steyre in dayes two ; 

But ner the lesse^ for al his hevy armure^ 1 30 

He foloweth her that is his lyves cure_, 
For whos departyng he toke gretter ire 
Then for al his brennyng in the fire. 

108 art thou. 114 icith wich. 115 ne om. 119 fledde fel. 121 pa.s pales. 
124 hert. 125 have done. 126 thoght. 129 steyre sterre. 



I 



THE COMPLAYXT OF MARS 459 

(20) 

After he walketh softely a paas^ 

Complejmyng^ that hyt pite was to here. 135 

He seyde^ **0 lady bryght^ Venus^ alas^ 

That evere so wyde a compas ys my spere ! 

Alas when shal I mete yow^ herte dere? 

This twelve dayes of Apprile I endure 

Throgh jelouse Phebus this mysaventure/' 140 

(21) 

Now God helpe sely Venus allone ! 

But as God wolde^ hyt happed for to be 

That while that Venus weping made her mone 

Cilinius^ rydinge in his chevache^ 

Fro Venus valaunse myght his paleys se^ 145 

And Venus he salueth^ and maketh chere^ 

And her receyveth as his frende ful dere. 

(22) 

Mars dwelleth forth in his adversyte_, 

Compleynyng ever on her departynge; 

And what his compleynt was^ remembreth me; 150 

And therfore_, in this lusty morwnynge^ 

As I best can^ I wol hit seyn and synge^ 

And after that I wol my leve take^ 

And God yif every wyght joy of his make! 

The compleynt of Mars. 

The ordre of compleynt requireth skylfully 155 

That yf a wight shal pleyne petously^ 

Ther mot be cause^ wherfore that men pleyn^ 
Other men may deme he pleyneth folely 
And causeles ; alas^ that am not I ! 

138 hert. 145 valaunses. 156 pleyn. 



460 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Wherfor the grounde and cause of al my peyn^ l60 

So as my troubled witte may hit ateyn^ 
I wol reherse_, not for to have redresse^ 
But to declare my grounde of hevynesse. 

[First Tern.~\ 

The first tyme^ alas_, that I was wroght^ 

And for certeyn eiFectes hider broght l65 

Be him that lordeth ech intelligence^ 
I yaf my trwe servise and my thoght 
For ever-more^ how dere I have hit boght^ 

To her that is of so gret excelence^ 

That what wight that first sheweth his presence^ 170 
When she is wrothe^ and taketh of hym no cure^ 
He may not longe in joye of love endure. 

This is no feyned mater that I telle; 
My lady is the verrey sours and welle 

Of beaute^ lust^ fredam^ and gentilnesse^ 175 

Of riche aray^ how dere men hit selle_, 
Of al disport^ in which men frendly duelle^ 

Of love and pley^ and of benigne humbles'se^ 

Of soune of instrumentes of al suetnesse^ 
And therto so wel fortuned and thewed^ 180 

That thorow the worlde her goodnesse is yshewed. 

What wonder ys then^ thogh that I beset 
My servise on such on that may me knet 

To wele or wo^ sith hit lythe in her myght? 
Therfore my hert for ever I to her het^ 185 

Ne truly^ for my dethe^ I shal not let 

To ben her truest servaunt and her knyght. 

I flater noght^ that may wete every wyght ; 
For this day in her servise shal I dye^ 
But grace be I se her ones wyth ye. 190 

169 To that. 182 that om. 185 bet hight. 190 ones oenes alt. fr. neuer. 



THE COMPLAYNT OF MARS 46l 

[Second Tern,] 

To whom shal I than pleyn of my distresse? 
Who may me helpe? who may my harme redresse? 

Shal I compleyn unto my lady fre? 
Nay_, certes^ for she hath such hevynesse^ 
For fere and eke for wo^ that^ as I gesse^ 195 

In lytil tyme hit wol her bane be. 

But were she safe^ hit wer no fors of me. 
Alas^ that ever lovers mote endure^ 
For love^ so many a perilouse aventure ! 

For tho so be^ that lovers be as trewe 200 

As eny metal that is forged newe^ 

In mony a case hem tydeth ofte sorowe^ 

Somtyme her ladies wil not on hem rewe; 

Somtyme^ yf that jelosie hyt knewe^ 

They myghten lyghtly ley her hede to borowe; 205 

Somtyme envyous f olke_, with tunges horowe^ 

Departen hem^ alas^ whom may they plese? 

But he be fals. no lover hath his ese. 

But what availeth suche a longe sermoun 

Of aventures of love up and doune? 210 

I wol returne^ and speken of my peyne; 
The poynt is this^ of my distruccioun 
My righte lady^ my savacyoun^ 

Is in affray^ and not to whom to pleyn. 

O herte suete^ O lady sovereyn^ 215 

For your disese I oght wel swowne and swelt^ 
Thogh I none other harme ne drede felt. 

[Third Tern.] 

To what fyne made the god that sitte so hye^ 
Be-nethen him love other company e^ 

And streyneth folke to love malgre her hede.^ 220 

191 than om. 203 somme. 215 hert. 216 sowne. 219 him om. 



462 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

And then her joy^ for oght I can espye^ 
Ne lasteth not the twynkelyng of an eye; 

And somme han never joy til they be dede. 

What meneth this ? what is this mystihede ? 
Wherto constreyneth he his folke so fast 225 

Thing to desyre but hit shulde last? 

And thogh he made a lover love a things 
And maketh hit seme stidfast and during^ 

Yet putteth he in hyt such mysaventure^ 
That rest nys ther noon in his yevinge. 230 

And that is wonder^ that so juste a kynge 

Doth such hardnesse to his creature. 

Thus^ whether love breke or elles dure^ 
Algates he that hath with love to done^ 
Hath ofter wo then changed ys the mone. 235 

Hit semeth he hath to lovers enemyte^ 
And lyke a fissher^ as men alday may se^ 

Bateth hys angle-hoke with summe plesaunce^ 
Til mony a iissch ys wode to that he be 
Sesed ther-with^ and then at erst hath he 240 

Al his desire^ and ther-with al myschaunce ; 

And thogh the lyne breke_, he hath penaunce^ 
For with the hoke he wounded is so sore^ 
That he his wages hathe for evermore. 

[Fourth Tern.] 

The broche of Thebes was of such a kynde, 245 

So ful of rubies and of stones ynde^ 

That every wight that set on hit an ye^ 
He wend anon to worthe out of his mynde^ 
So sore the beaute wold his herte bynde. 

Til he hit had^ him thoght he muste dye; 250 

226 shuld. 230 noon om. 233 wether. 246 of ynde. 249 hert. 250 must. 



THE COMPLAYNT OF MARS 463 

And whan that hit was his^ then shuld he drye 
Such woo for drede^ ay while that he hit had^ 
That w^elnygh for the fere he shulde mad. 

And whan hit was fro his possessioun^ 

Then had he double wo and passioun^ 255 

For he so f eir a tresore had forgo ; 

But yet this broche^ as in conclusioun 

Was not the cause of this confusioun^ 

But he that wroght hit^ enfortuned hit so^ 

That every wight that had hit shuld have wo ; 260 

And therfore in the worcher w^as the vice^ 

And in the covetour that was so nyce. 

So fareth hyt by lovers and by me^ 
For thogh my lady have so gret beaute 

That I was mad til I had gete her grace^ 265 

She was not cause of myn adversite^ 
But he that wroght her^ also mot I the^ 

That putte suche a beaute in her face 

That made me coveten and purchace 
Myn oune dethe^ him wite I that I dye^ 270 

And myn unwitte^ that ever I clombe so hye. 

[Fifth Tern.] 

But to yow^ hardy knyghtis of renoun^ 
Syn that ye be of my devisioun^ 

Al be I not worthy to so grete a name^ 
Yet seyn these clerkes^ I am your patroun; 275 

Therfore ye oght have somme compassioun 

Of my disese^ and take hit not agame. 

The pruddest of yow may be made f ul tame ; 
Wherfore I prey yow of your gentilesse^ 
That ye compleyne for myn hevynesse. 280 

251 that, his om. 253 shuld. 259 enfortune. 267 also as. 268 put; a om. 
271 ovne witte. 280 compleyn. 



464 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

And ye^ my ladyes^ that ben true and stable^ 

Be wey of kynde^ ye oghten to be able 
To have pite of folke that be in peyn. 

Now have ye cause to clothe yow in sable^ 

Sith that youre emperise^ the honurable^ 285 

Is desolate wel oghte ye to pleyne^ 
Now shuld your holy teres f alle and reyne. 

Alas^ your honour and your emperise^ 

Negh ded for drede^ ne can her not chevise. 

Compleyneth eke^ ye lovers^ al in fere^ 290 

For her that with unfeyned humble chere^ 
Was evere redy to do yow soeoure; 

Compleyneth her that evere hath had yow dere; 

Compleyneth beaute^ fredom^ and manere; 

Compleyneth her that endeth your labour; 295 

Compleyneth thilke ensample of al honour 

That never did but alway gentilesse; 

Kytheth therfor on her summe kyndenesse. 

286 og-ht. 293 complen ; der. 



THE PARLEMEXT OF FOULES 

Here hegynytli the parlemeiit of if only s. 

The lyf so shorty the craft so longe to lerne^ 

Thassay so sharp^ so hard the conquerynge^ 

The dredful joye alwey that slit so yerne^ 

Al this mene I be Love^ that my felynge 

Astonyd with his wondyrful werkynge 5 

So sore^ Iwis^ that whan I on hym thynke^ 

Nat wot I wel wher that I flete or synke. 

For al be that I knowe nat Love indede^ 

Xe wot how that he quitith folk here hyre_, 

Yit happith me ful ofte in bokis reede 10 

Of hise myraklis and his crewel yre^ 

That rede I wel^ he wole be lord and syre. 

I dar nat seyn^ his strokis been so sore^ 

But God save swich a lord ! I sey namoore. 

Of usage^ what for lust and what for lore^ 15 

On bokis rede I ofte^ as I yow tolde. 

But wherfore that I sjoeke al this ? nat yoore 

Agon_, it happede me for to beholde 

Upon a bok was wrete with letteris olde^ 

And therupon, a certeyn thing to lerne^ 20 

The longe day ful faste I redde and yerne. 

For oute of olde feldys. as men sey^ 

Comytli al this newe corn from yer to yere^ 

And out of olde bokis^ in good fey^ 

Comyth al this newe science that men lere. 25 

But now to purpos as of this matere ; 

To rede forth so gan me to delite 

That al that day me thoughte but a lyte. 

4 myn, and elsewhere in this text. 6 I wis. 12 wele. ?2 ofte. 



466 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

This bok of which I make of mencioun 

Entytlt was al thus^ as I schal telle, 30 

''Tullyus of the drem of Scipioun/' 

Chapiteris sevene it hadde_, of hevene and helle 

And erthe, and soulis that therynne dwelle. 

Of whiche, as shortly as I can it trete. 

Of his centence I wele yow seyn the greete. S5 

Fyrst tellith it, whan Scipion was come 

In AiFrik, how he metyth Massynisse, 

That hym for joie in armys hath inome. 

Thanne tellyth he here speche, and of the blysse 

That was betwixsyn hem til that day gan mysse ; 40 

And how his auncestre, AfFrycan so deere, 

Gan in his slep that nyght to hym apere. 

Thanne tellith it, that from a sterry place 

How AfFrycan hath hym Cartage schewid, 

And warnede hym beforn of al his grace; 45 

And seyde, what man lernyd other lewid 

That lovede comoun profyt wel ithewid, 

He shulde into a blysful place wende. 

There as joye is, that last withoutyn ende. 

Thanne axede he, if folk that now been dede 50 

Han lyf and dwellynge in anothir place. 

And AfFrican seyde, *'ya, withoutyn drede,'' 

And that oure present worldis lyvys space 

Nys but a maner deth, what weye we trace ; 

And rightlul folk schul gon aftyr they deye 55 

To hevene, and schewede hym the galaxy. 

Thanne shewede he hym the litel erthe that here is 

At regard of the hevenys quantite. 

And after shewede he hym the nyne speris, 

31 sothiom. 33 theryn. 39 spche. 40 thil. 53 wordis. 56 galylye. 
57 litel om. 



THE PARLEMENT OF FOULES 467 

And aftyr that^ the melody e herde he 60 

That comyth of thilke speris thryes thre^ 

That welle is of musik and melodye 

In this world here and cause of armonye. 

Than bad he hym^ syn erthe was so lyte 

And ful of torment and of harde grace^ 65 

That he ne schulde hym in the world delyte^ 

Thanne tolde he hym^ in certeyn yeris space 

That every sterre shulde come into his place 

Ther it was ferst^ and al schulde out of mynde 

That in this world is don of al mankynde. 70 

Thanne preyede hym Cypyon to telle hym al 

The weye to come into that hevene blis. 

And he seyde^ ''Know thyself ferst inmortal^ 

And loke ay besyly thow werche and wysse 

To comoun profit^ and thow shat not mysse 75 

To comyn swiftly to this place deere 

That ful of blysse is and of soulys cleere. 

But brekers of the lawe^ soth to seyn^ 

And lykerous folk^ aftyr that they ben dede^ 

Schul whirle aboute therthe alwey in peyne^ 80 

Tyl manye a world be passid^ out of drede_, 

And that foryevyn is his weked dede. 

Than shal they comyn into this blysful place, 

To whiche to comyn_, God the synde his grace/' 

The day gan f allien, and the derke nyght, 85 

That revith bestis from here besynesse, 

Berafte me my bok^ for lak of lyght ; 

And to my bed I gan me for to dresse, 

Fulfyld of thought and busy hevynesse; 

For bothe I hadde thyng which that I nolde 90 

And ek I ne hadde that thyng that I wolde. 

65 was sumdel disseyvable & ful. 77 of (2) om. 78 brekeis. 80 there, 
S'i the om.; his us. 85 folwyn. 88 bed self. 90 which om. 91 that (l) om. 



468 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

But fynally^ my spirit at the laste^ 

Forwery of my labour al the day^ 

Tok reste^ that made me to slepe faste; 

And in my slep I mette^ as that I lay, 95 

How AiFrican, ryght in the same aray 

That Cipion hym say^ byfore that tyde, 

Was come, and stod right at my bedis syde. 

The wery huntere, slepynge in his bed, 

To wode agen his mynde goth anon; 100 

The juge dremyth how hise pleis been sped; 

The cartere dremyth how his carte is gon ; 

The riche of gold, the knyght f yght with his f on ; 

The syke met he drynkyth of the tunne ; 

The lovere met he hath his lady wonne. 105 

Can I nat seyn if that the cause were 

For I hadde red of AfFrican byforen. 

That made me to mete that he stod there; 

But thus seyde he, '*Thow hast the so wel born 

In lokynge of myn olde bok byforn, 110 

Of whiche Macrobye roughte nat a lyte. 

That sumdel of thy labour wolde I quyte." 

Cytherea, thow blysful lady swete. 

That with thy ferbrond dauntist whom thow lest. 

And madist me this swevene for to mete, 115 

Be thow myn helpe in this, for thow mayst best; 

As wisely as I seye the north-nor-west. 

Whan I began my swevene for to write. 

So yif me myght to ryme and ek tendyte. 

This forseyde AiFrican me hente anon, 120 

And forth with hym unto a gate broughte 

Ryght of a park, wallid of grene ston. 

And ovyr the gatis with letteris large iwrowht, 

108 theere. 113 Cythera. 



THE PARLEMEXT OF FOULES 469 

There were vers iwreten as me thought^ 

On eythir syde^ of ful gret difference^ 125 

Of which I schal now seyn the pleyn sentence. 

''Thorw me men gon into that blysful place 

Of hertis hele^ and dedly woundis cure ; 

Thorw me men gon onto the welle of grace^ 

There grene and lusty May shal evere endure; 130 

This is the weye to al good aventure^ 

Be glad^ thow redere^ and th}^ sorwe ofcaste. 

Al opyn am !_, passe in_, and sped the f aste V 

*' Thorw me men gon/' than spak that othir side_, 

**Onto the mortal strokis of the spere^ 135 

Of whiche Disdayn and Daunger is the gyde^ 

That nevere yit shal freut ne levys here. 

This strem yow ledith to the sorweful were 

There as the fisch in prysoun is al drye ; 

Theschewyng is only the remedye/' 140 

These vers of gold and blak iwretyn were_, 

Of whiche I gan astonyd to beholde^ 

For whi^ that on encresede ay my fere_, 

And with that othir gan myn herte bolde; 

That on me hette^ that othir dede me colde^ l45 

No wit hadde I for errour for to chese 

To entre^ or flen^ or me to save^ or lese. 

Right as betwixsyn adamauntis two 

Of evene myght a pece of yryn set 

Ne hath no myght to meve too ne fro^ 150 

For what that on may hale^ that othir let_, 

Ferde I^ that nyste whethir me was bet 

To entre or leve^ til Affrycan^ my gide^ 

Me hente^ and shof in at the gatis wide. 

124 iwrete. 132 overcaste. 134 spat. 138 the om. 140 Ther shewing:. 
141 wers. 152 best. 



470 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

And seyde^ ''It stant writyn in thy face 155 

Thyn errour^ though thow telle it not to me; 

But dred the not to come into this place^ 

For this writyng nys nothyng ment bi the^ 

Ne by non^ but he lovys serwaunt be^ 

For thow of love hast lost thy stat^ I gesse^ l60 

As sek man hath of swet and byttyrnesse. 

But natheles^ althow that thow be dul^ 

Yit that thow canst not do^ yit mayst thow se^ 

For manye a man that may nat stonde a pul/ 

It likyth hym at wrastelyng for to be^ l65 

And demyn yit wher he do bet^ or he^ 

And there if thow haddist cunnyng for tendite^ 

I shal the shewe mater for to wryte." 

With that myn hand he tok in his anon^ 

Of whiche I confort kaughte^ and went in faste; 170 

But Lord^ so I was glad and wel-begoon ! 

For overal where that I myne eyen caste 

Were treis^ clad with levys that ay shal laste^ 

Eche in his kynde of colour fresch and greene 

As emeroude^ that joye was to scene. 175 

The byldere ok^ and ek the hardy assh; 

The pilere elm^ the cofere unto carayne; 

The boxtre pipere ; holm^ to whippis lasch ; 

The saylynge fyr; the cipresse^ deth to pleyne; 

The shetere ew; the asp^ for shaftys pleyne; 180 

The olyve of pes; and ek the dronke vyne; 

The victor palm; the laurer to devyne. 

A gardyn saw I^ ful of blosmy bowys^ 

Upon a rever in a grene mede^ 

There as that swetnesse everemore inow is^ 185 

With flouris white^ blewe^ and yelwe^, and rede^ 

161 hat. 170 icent in that as. 183 blospemy. 185 that ther. 



THE PARLEMEXT OF FOULES 471 

And colde welle-stremys nothyng dede, 
That swemyn fiil of smale fischis lighte^ 
With fynnys rede and skalis sylvyr bryghte. 

On every bow the bryddis herde I synge 190 

With voys of aungel in here armonye. 

Som besyede hem here bryddis forth to brynge ; 

The litele eonyes to here pley gunne hye ; 

And ferthere al aboute I gan aspye 

The dredful ro^ the buk and hert^ and hynde^ 195 

Squyrelis and bestis smale of gentil kynde. 

Of instreumentis of strengis in acord 

Herde I so pleye^ and ravyshyng swetnesse^ 

That God^ that makere is of al^ and lord^ 

Ne herde nevere betyr^ as I gesse; 200 

Therwith a wynd^ onethe it myght be lesse^ 

Made in the levys grene a noyse softe^ 

Acordaunt to the bryddis song alofte. . 

The eire of that place so attempre was 

That nevere was grevaunce of hot ne cold; 205 

There wex ek every holsum spice and gres; 

Xe no man may there waxe sek ne old^ 

Yit was there joye more a thousent fold 

Than man can telle ; ne nevere wolde it nyghte^, 

But ay cler day to ony manys syghte. 210 

Undyr a tre besyde a welle I say 

Cupide oure lord hise arwis forge and file^ 

And at his fet his bowe al redy lay^ 

And wel his doughtyr temperede al this whyle 

The hevedis in the welle^ and with hire wile 215 

She couchede hem aftyr as they shulde serve^ 

Some for to sle^ and some to wounde and kerve. 

188 lite. 19-2 Som So. 204 erthe. 207 ne om.: waxe there. 216 as om. 



472 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Tho was I war of Plesaunce anon ryght^ 

And of Aray and Lust and Curteysie^ 

And of the Craft that can and hath the myght 220 

To don be force a wight to don folye; 

Disfigurat was she^ I nyl nat lye^ 

And by hemself undyr an ok^ I gesse^ 

Saw I Delyt that stod with Gentilesse. 

I saw Beute^ withoutyn ony atyr^ 225 

And Youthe^ ful of game^ and Jolyte^ 

Fool-hardynesse^ and Flaterye^ and Desyr/ 

Messagerye^ and Meede^ and other thre/ 

Here namys shul not here be told for me ; 

And upon pileris greete of jasper longe^ 230 

I saw a temple of bras ifounded stronge. 

Aboute that temple daunsedyn alwey 

Wemen inowe_, of whiche some ther were 

Fayre of hemself^ and some of hem were gay^ 

In kertelis al dischevele wente they there^ 235 

That was here ofFys^ alwey yer be yeere; 

And on the temple of dowvis white and fayre 

Saw I syttynge manye an hunderede peyre. 

By fore the temple dore ful sobyrly 

Dame Pes sat^ with a curtyn in hire hond; 2iO 

And by hire syde_, wondyr discretly^ 

Dame Pacience syttynge there I fond^ 

With face pale^ upon an hil of sond^ 

And aldirnext withinne and ek withoute 

Byheste and Art and of here folk a route. 245 

Withinne the temple of sykys hoote as fuyr 
I herde a swow^ that gan aboute renne^ 
Whiche sikis were engenderede with desyr^ 

221 before. ^See Glossary. 



THE PARLEMENT OF FOULES 473 

That madyn every auter for to brenne 

Of newe flaume^ and wel espyed I thenne 250 

That alle the cause of sorwe that they drye 

Cam of the bittere goddesse Jelosye. 

The god Priapus saw I^ as I wente_, 

Withinne the temple in sovereyn place stonde 

In swich aray as whan the asse hym shente 255 

With cri be nyghte^ and with septure in his honde. 

Ful besyly men gunne as aye and fonde 

Upon his hed to sette of sundery hewe 

Garlondis ful of flourys fresche and newe. 

And in a prive corner in desport^ 260 

Fond I Venus and hire porter Richesse, 

That was ful noble and hautayn of hyre port; 

Derk was that place^ but aftyrward lightnesse 

I saw a lyte^ unnethe it myghte be lesse^ 

And on a bed of gold sche lay to reste^ 265 

Tyl that the hote sunne gan to weste-. 

Hyre gilte heris with a goldene thred 

Ibounden were^ untrussede as sche lay; 

And nakyd from the brest up to the hed 

Men myghte hyre sen_, and sothly for to say 270 

The remenaunt was wel keverede^ to my pay_, 

Ryght with a subtyl covercheif of valence^ 

Ther nas no thikkere cloth of no defense. 

The place yaf a thousent savouris sote^ 

And Bacus^ god of wyn^ sat hire besyde; 275 

And Sereis next^ that doth of hungir boote; 

And^ as I seyide^ amyddis lay Cypride^ 

To wham on kneis two yonge folk there cryede 

To ben here helpe; but thus I let hem lye^ 

And ferthere in the temple I gan espie 280 

255 wan. 261 Venus Febus. 270 myghthe. 272 rygh. 



474 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

That in dispit of Dyane the chaste 

Ful manye a bowe ibroke hyng on the wal 

Of maydenys^ swiche as gunne here tymys waste 

In hyre servyse; ipeyntede were overal 

Ful manye a story^ of whiche I touche shal 285 

A fewe^ as of Calyxte^ and Athalante^ 

And manye a mayde^ of whiche the name I wante. 

Semyramus^ Candace^ and Hercules^ 

Biblis^ Dido^ Thisbe^ and Piramus^ 

Tristram^ Isaude^ Paris^ and Achilles^ 290 

Eleyne^ Cliopatre^ and Troylus^ 

Silla^ and ek the modyr of Romulus^ 

AUe these were peyntid on that othir syde^ 

And al here love^ and in what plyt they deyde. 

Whan I was come agen unto the place 295 

That I of spak^ that was so sote and grene_, 

Forth welk I tho^ myselvyn to solace. 

Tho was I war^ wher that ther sat a queene 

That as of lyght the someris sunne shene 

Passith the sterre^ right so overmesure 300 

She f ayrere was than ony creature. 

And in a launde_5 upon an hil of flouris^ 

Was set this noble goddesse Nature. 

Of braunchis were here hallis and here bouris 

Iwrought after here cast and here mesure; 305 

Ne there nas foul that comyth of engendrure 

That they ne were al prest in here presence 

To take hire dom^ and yeve hire audyence. 

For this was on seynt Valentynys day^ 

Whan every bryd comyth there to chese his make^ 310 

Of every kynde that men thynke may^ 

286 Calyote. 291 Troylis. 299 lygh. 305 iwroug-h: mesuris, 309 Volantynys. 



THE P.ARLEMENT OF FOULES 475 

And that so huge a noyse gan they make 

That erthe and eyr and tre and every lake 

So ful was^ that onethe was there space 

For me to stonde^ so ful was al the place. 315 

And right as Aleyn in the Pleynt of Kynde 

Devyseth Natur in aray and face^ 

In swich aray men myghte hire there fynde. 

This nobil emperesse^ ful of grace^ 

Bad every foul to take his owene place 320 

As they were wonyd alwey fro yer to yeere^ 

Seynt Valentynys day to stondyn theere. 

That is to seyn^ the foulis of ravyne 

Were heyest set_, and thanne foulis smale 

That etyn as hem Natur wolde enclyne^ S25 

As werm or thyng of which I telle no tale; 

And watyr foul sat loueste in the dale; 

But foul that lyvyth be sed sat on the grene^ 

And that so fele^ that wondyr was to sene. 

There myghte men the ryal egle fynde_, 330 

That with his sharpe lok persith the sunne^ 

And othere eglis of a lowere kynde^ 

Of whiche that clerkis wel devyse cunne; 

Ther was the tiraunt with his f ederys dunne 

And grey_, I mene the goshauk^ that doth pyne 335 

To bryddis for his outrageous ravyne. 

The gentyl facoun^ that with his feet distraynyth 

The kyngis hand ; the hardy sperhauk eke^, 

The quaylis f oo ; the merlioun that paynyth 

Hymself ful ofte the larke for to seke; 340 

There was the douve^ with hire eyen meke; 

The j elous swan^ ayens hire deth that syngith ; 

The oule ek^ that of deth the bode bryngyth. 

222 Volantynys. 316 rigli. 326 of which om.; no my. 335 And A. 
339 merilioun. 



476 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

The crane geaunt^ with his trompis soun; 

The thef the choghe^ and ek the jangelynge pye; 345 

The skornynge j ay ; the elis f o^ heroun ; 

The false lapwynge^ f ul of trecherye ; 

The starlyng^ that the conseyl can bewreye; 

The tame rodok_, and the coward kyte; 

The kok^ that orloge is of thorpis lyte. 350 

The sparwe^ Venus sone; the nyghtyngale^ 

That clepith forth the grene levys newe ; 

The swalwe^ mortherere of the flyes smale 

That makyn hony of flouris frosche and newe; 

The wedded turtil^ with hire herte trewe; 35 5 

The pokok^ with his aungelis clothis bryghte; 

The fesaunt^ skornere of the cok be nyghte. 

The wakyr goos^ the cokkow most onkynde; 

The popynjay^ ful of delicasye; 

The drake^ stroyere of his owene kynde; 360 

The stork^ the wrekere of avouterye; 

The hote cormeraunt of glotenye; 

The raven wys ; the crowe^ with vois of care ; 

The thurstil old^ the frosty f eldef are. 

What shulde I seyn? Of foulys every kynde 365 

That in this world hath federis and stature 

Men myghtyn in that place assemblede fynde 

Byfore the noble goddesse_, Nature. 

And everiche of hem dede his besy cure 

Benygnely to chese or for to take^ 370 

By hire a<!ord^ his formel or his make. 

But to the poynt : Nature held on hire hond 

A formele egle^ of shap the gentilleste 

That evere she among hire werkis fond^ 

The moste benygne^ and the goodlieste. 375 

345 choghe crowe. 358 fiyes foulis. 363 wit. 



THE PARLEMENT OF FOULES 477 

In hire was everi vertu at his reste 

So fer-forth^ that Nature hireself hadde blysse 

To loke on hire^ and ofte hire bek to kysse. 

Nature^ vicarye o the almyghty lord 

That hot^ cold^ hevy^ lyght^ moyst^ and dreye 380 

Hath knyt with evene noumberis of acord_, 

In esy voys gan for to speke and seye^ 

"Foulis^ tak hed of my centence^ I preye; 

And for youre ese in fortheryng of youre nede^ 

As faste as I may speke^ I wele yow speede. 385 

Ye knowe wel^ how Seynt Valentynys day 

By my statute and thorw my governaunce^ 

Ye Gome for to cheese^ and fle youre wey_, 

Youre makis_, as I prike yow with plesaunce ; 

But natheles^ my ryghtful ordenaunce 390 

May I nat breke^ for al this world to wynne^ 

That he that most is worthi shal begyrune. 

The terslet egle^ as that ye knowe ful w^el_, 

The foul ryal above every degre^ 

The wyse and worthi^ secre^ trewe as stel^ 395 

Whiche I have formyd^ as ye may wel se^ 

In every part as it best likyth me^ 

It nedith not^ his shap yow to devyse^ 

He shal ferst chese^ and spekyn in his gyse. 

And aftyr hym^ by ordere shul ye chese 400 

Aftyr youre kynde^ everiche as ye lykyth^ 

And as youre hap is^ shul ye wynne or lese. 

But which of yow that love most entrikyth^ 

God synde hym hire that soryest for hym sykyth/' 

And therwithal the tersel gan she calle^ - 405 

And seyde^ '^^7 sone^ the choys is to yow falle. 

384 yore (l). 400 ye they. 



478 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

But natheles^ in this condicioun 

Mot be the choys of everich that is heere ; 

That she agre to his eleccioun_, 

What so he be^ that shulde be hire feere. 410 

This is oure usage alwey^ fro yer to yeere; 

And ho so may at this tyme have his grace^ 

In blisf ul tyme he cam into this place V 

With hed enclyned^ and with humble cheere^ 

This ryal tersel spak^ and tariede noht; 415 

"Unto my sovereyn lady^ and not my fere^ 

I chese_, and ches with wil and herte and thought 

The formel on youre hond^ so wel iwrought; 

Whos I am al^ and evere wele hire serve^ 

Do what hire lest^ to do me leve or sterve; 420 

Besekynge hire of merci and of grace^ 

As she that is my lady sovereyne^ 

Or let me deye present in this place ; 

For certis^ longe I may nat lyve in payne^ 

For in myn herte is korvyn every veyne^ 425 

And havynge only reward to my trouthe^ 

My dere herte_, have of my wo sum routhe. 

And if that I to hyre be f ounde untrewe, 

Dishobeysaunt or wilful necligent^ 

Avauntour^ or in proces love a newe^ 430 

I preye to yow this be my jugement. 

That with these foulis be I al torent^ 

That ilke day that evere she me f ynde 

To hire untrewe or in my gilt unkynde. 

And syn that hire lovyth non so wel as I, 435 

Al be it that she me nevere of love beheete^ * 
Thanne ouhte she be myn^ thourgh hire mercy, 

416 myn. 417 ches shes. 431 myn. 434 vntrere. 436 she he. 



. THE PARLEMENT OF FOULES 479 

For othir bond can I non on hire knette^ 

Ne nevere for no wo ne shal I lette 

To servyn hire^ how fer so that she wende. 440 

Say what vow leste^ my tale is at an ende/' 

Ryght as the fresche rede rose newe 

Ayen the somyr sunne coloured is^ 

Ryght so for shame al wexen gan hire hewe 

Of this f ormel^ whan she herde al this ; 445 

She neythir answerde wel^ ne seyde amys^ 

So sore abashat was she^ tyl that Nature 

Seyde^ ''Doughter, drede the nought^ I yow assure." 

Anothir tersel egle spak anon 

Of lower kynde^ seyde^ "That shal nat be; 450 

I love hire bet than ye don^ be Seynt Jon^ 

Or at the leste I love as wel as ye^ 

And longere have servyd hire in my degre ; 

And if she shulde a lovid for long lovynge_, 

To me fullonge hadde be the gerdonynge. 455 

I dar ek seyn^ if she me fynde fals^ 

LTnkynde^ or jangelere^ or rebel ony wyse^ 

Or gelous^ do me hangyn by the hals; 

And but I here me in hire servyse 

As wel as that my wit can me sufFyse 460 

From poynt to poynt^ hyre honour for to save^ 

Tak ye my lif^ and al the good I have." 

The thredde tercel egle answerde tho^ 

**Now^ serys_, ye seen the lytil leyser heere^ 

For every foul cryeth out to ben ago 465 

Forth with his mak^ or with his lady deere ; 

And ek Nature hireself ne wele not heere 

For taryinge here not half that I wolde seye; 

And but I speke^ I mot for sorwe deye. 

438 knette areete. 442 frosche. 460, 462 myn. 461 to in. 462 the. 



480 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Of long servyse avante I me nothings 470 

But as possible is me to deye today 

For wo^ as he that hath ben languyssynge 

This twenty yeer_, and as wel happyn may^ 

A man may servyn bet and more to pay 

In half a yer althau it were no moore^ 475 

Than sum man doth^ that servyd hath ful yoore. 

I sey not this by me^ for I ne can 

Don no servyse that may my lady plese ; 

But I dar seyn^ I am hire treweste man^ 

As to my dom^ and fayneste wolde hire ese; 480 

At shorte wordis_, til that deth me sese 

I wele ben heris^ where I wake or wynke^ 

And trewe in al that herte may bethynke." 

Of al myn lyf^ syn that day I was born^ 

So gentil pie in love or othir thyng 485 

Ne herde nevere no man me beforn^ 

Ho that hadde leyser and eunnyng 

For to reherse hyre cher and hire spekyng ; 

And from the morwe gan this speche laste 

Tyl dounward drow the sunne wondir faste. 490 

The noyse of foulis for to ben delyvered 

So loude ronge^ ''Have don^ and lat us wende_,'' 

That wel wende I^ the wode hadde al toslyvered. 

''Cum of/' they criedyn^ "AUas^ ye wele us shende; 

Whan shal youre cursede pletynge havyn an ende ? 495 

How shulde a juge eythir partie leve 

For ye or nay^ withoutyn othir preve?'' 

The goos^ the cokkow^ and the doke also 

So cryede^ "kek kek^'' "kokkow^'' "quek quek^'' hye^ 

That thourw myne erys the noyse wente tho. 500 

The goos seyde^ "Al this nys not worth a flye; 

471 But as Thsit; to lae. 476 hath servyd. 482 ichere were. 494 shynde. 



I 



THE PARLEMENT OF FOULES 481 

But I can shappe herof a remedie^ 

And I wele seye myn verdit fayre and swythe^ 

For watyr foul^ ho so be wroth or blythe/' 

*'And I for werm foul/' quod the fol kokkowe^ 505 

**And I wele of myn owene autorite^ 

For comun profit tak the charge nowe^ 

For to delyvere us is gret charite/' 

"Ye may onbyde a while yit^ perde^" 

Quod the turtil^ ''if it be youre wille. 510 

A wiht may speke_, hym were as f ayr ben stylle. 

I am a sed foul^ on the onworthieste^ 

That wot I wel^ and litil of cunnynge; 

But bet is^ that a wyhtis tunge reste 

Than entirmetyn hym of suche doinge '515 

Of which he neythir rede can^ ne fynde; 

And who so doth ful f oule_, hymself acloyith^ 

For offys uncommyttid ofte anoyeth." 

Nature^ which that alwey hadde an ere 

To murmur of the lewedenesse behynde^ 520 

With facound voys seyde^ "Hold youre tungis_, there^ 

And I shal sone^ I hope_, a conseyl fynde 

Yow to delyvere and from this noyse unbynde. 

I juge of every folk men shul on calle^ 

To seyn the verdit for yow foulys alle/' 525 

Assentid was to this conclusioun 

The briddis alle^ and foulis of ravyne 

Han chosyn fyrst^ by playn eleccioun^ 

The terselet of the facoun to diiFyne 

Al here centence^ as hem leste to termyne^ 530 

And to nature hym gunne to presente; 

And she acceptyth hym with glad entente. 

507 the charge nowe on no carghowe. 511 wiht whit. 515 suhe. 518 un- 
commyttid onquit. 520 behynde om. 524 of on. 527 lauyne. 



482 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

The terselet seyde than in this manere: 

**Ful hard were it to prove by resoun 

Who lovyth best this gentil formele heere^ 535 

For everych hath swich replicacioun 

That non by skillis may been brought adoun. 

I can not se that argumentis avayle; 

Thanne semyth it there muste be batayle/' 

"Al redy V' quod this eglis terslet tho. 540 

**Nay^ seris/' quod he^ "if that I durste it seye. 

Ye don me wrongs myn tale is not ido^ 

For^ seris^ ne takith not a-gref^ I preye^ 

It may not gon as ye wolde in this weye ; 

Oure is the voys that han the charg on honde^ 545 

And to the jugis dom ye motyn stonde. 

And therf ore pes ; I seye^ as to myn wit 

Me wolde thynke how that the worthiest 

Of knyghthod and lengest hath used it^ 

Most of estate of blod the gentilleste^ 550 

Were sittyngest for hire^ if that her leste; 

And of these thre she wot hireself^ I trowe^ 

Whiche that he be^ for it is light to knowe.' 

The watyr foulis han here hedis leid 

Togedere^ and of a short avysement 555 

Whan everryche hadde his large gole seyd^ 

They seydyn^ sothly^ al be on assent^ 

How that the goos with hire f acounde so gent, 

*'That so desyrith to pronounce oure nede, 

Shal telle oure tale/' and preyede God hym spede. 560 

As for these watyr foulis tho began 
The goos to speke^ and in his kakelynge 
He seyde_, "Pes, now tak kep, every man, 
And herkenyth which a resoun I shal brynge. 

533 terslet ; than om. 551 her he. 553 it here. 



THE PARLEMENT OF FOULES 483 

Myn wit is sharp^ I love no taryinge; 565 

I seye, I rede hym, thow he were myn brothir^ 
But she wele love hym^ let hym take anothir/' 

**Lo^ here a perfit resoun of a goos V 

Quod the sperhauk^ *'nevere mot he the! 

Lo_, sich it is to have a tunge loos. 570 

Now^ perde^ fol^ now were it bet for the 

Han holde thyn pes^ than shewe thyn nysete ! 

It lyth nat in his myght^ ne in his wille^ 

But soth is seyd^ a fol can not ben stille/' 

The laughtere aros of gentil foulis alle^ 575 

And right anon the sed foul chosyn hade 

The turtel trewe^ and gunne hire to hem calle^ 

And preyede hire for to seyn the sothe sadde 

Of this matere^ and axsede what she radde. 

And she answer de^ that^ pleynly^ hire entente 580 

She wolde it shewe^ and sothly what she mente. 

"Nay^ God forbede a lovere shulde chaunge/' 

The turtel seyde^ and wex for shame red^ 

*'Thow that his lady evere more be straunge^ 

Yit lat hym serve hire^ til that he be ded. 585 

Forsothe I preyse nat the gosis red; 

For thow sche deyede^ I wolde non othir make^ 

I wele ben hire til that the deth me take/' 

"Wei bordit V quod the doke^ **by myn hat ! 

That men shul lovyn alwey causeles^ 590 

Who can a resoun f ynde^ or wit_, in that ? 

Daunsith he murye that is myrtheles? 

What shulde I rekke of hym that is recheles ? 

Kek kek/' yit seith the doke^ ful wel and fayre^ 

*'There been mo sterris^ God wot^ than a payre V 595 

573 mygh. 576 righ. 579 rardde. 577, 583 tersel. 



484 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

**Now^ fy^ cherl/' quod the gentil terselet^ 

*'Out of the donghil cam that word ful right; 

Thow canst nat seen what thyng is wel beset; 

Thow farst by love as oulys don by lyght. 

The day hem blent^ but wel they sen be nyght. 600 

Thy kynde is of so low a wrechednesse 

That what love is^ thow canst nat seen ne gesse." 

Tho gan the kokkow putte hym forth in pres 

For foul that etith werm^ and seyde blyve^ 

'*So I/' quod he^ '*may have my make in pes^ 605 

I reche nat how longe that ye stryve^ 

Lat eche of hem ben soleyn al here lyve^ 

This is myn red^ syn they may nat acorde^ 

This shorte lessoun nedith nat recorde/' 

*'Ye^ have the glotoun fild inow his paunche^ 6lO 

Thanne are we wel^'' seyde thanne a merlioun^ 

"Thow mortherere of the heysoge on the braunche 

That broughte the forth^ thow reutheles glotoun^ 

Leve thow soleyn^ wermes corupcioun^ 

For no fors is of lak of thy nature; 6l5 

Go^ lewed be thow^ whil that the world may dure !" 

''Now pes/' quod Nature^ ''I comaunde here^ 

For I have herd al youre opynyoun^ 

And in effect yit be we not the nere; 

But fynally^ this is my conclusioun^ 620 

That she hireself shal han the eleccioun 

Of whom hire lest^ and who be wroth and blythe^ 

Hym that she chesith^ he shal hire han as swithe. 

For syn it may not here discussid be 

Who lovyth hire best^ as seyth the terselet^ 625 

Thanne wele I don hire this favour^ that she 

596/1/ sey; terslet. 600 nygh. 601 wrechednese. 602 gese. 604 blythe. 
613 reufulles. 614 werm. 623 as a. 625 terslet. 



THE PARLEMENT OF FOULES 485 

Shal han hym on horn hire herte is set^ 

And he hire/ that his herte hath on hire knet^ 

Thus juge I Nature^ for I may not lye 

To non estate I have non othir eye. 630 

But as for conseyl for to chese a make^ 

If^ I were Resoun^ eertis^ thanne wolde I 

Conseyle yow the ryal tersel take^ 

As seyde the terselet^ ful skylfuUy^ 

As for the gentilleste and most worthi^ 6S5 

Which I have wrought so wel to my plesaunce_, 

That to yow oughte to been a sufEsaunce/' 

With dredful vois the formel tho answerde^ 

"My rightful lady^ goddesse of Nature^, 

Soth is that I am evere undyr youre yerde^ 640 

As is anothir lyvis creature^ 

And mot ben youre^ whil that my lyf may dure; 

And therfore grauntyth me my ferste bone^ 

And myn entent that wele I seyn wol sone/' 

"I graunte it yow/' quod she, and than a-non 64*5 

This formel egle spak in this degre: 

"Almyghty queen, unto this yer be gon, 

I axe respit for to avise me. 

And af tyr that to have my choys al f re ; 

This al and sum that I wele speke and seye, 650 

Ye gete no more al thow ye do me deye. 

I wele nat serve Venus ne Cupide 

Forsothe as yit, be no manere weye." 

"Now syn it may non othirwise betyde/' 

Quod tho Nature, "heere is no more to seye, 655 

Thanne wolde I that these foulis were aweye, 

Eche with his make, for taryinge lengere heere,'* — 

And seyde hem thus, as ye shul aftyr here. 

628 knyt. 645 than that. 658 hem h>Tn. 



486 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

"To yow speke I^ ye tersletis/' quod Nature^ 

"Beth of good herte and servyth^ alle thre; 660 

A yer ne is nat so longe to endure^ 

And eche of yow peignynge in his degre 

For to do wel ; for God wot quit is she 

For yow this yer^ what aftyr so befalle^ 

This entyrmes is dressid for yow alle/' 665 

And whan this werk al brought was to an ende^ 

To every foul Nature yaf his make 

By evene aeord^ and on here weye they wende. 

But lord^ the blisse and joye that they make^ 

For ech gan othir in his wyngis take_, 670 

And with here nekkis eche gan othyr wynde^ 

Thankynge alwey the noble queen of kynde. 

But fyrst were chosyn foulis for to synge^ 

As yer be yer was alwey the usance 

To synge a roundele at here departynge^ 675 

To don to Nature honour and plesaunce; 

The note^ I trow_, imakid were in Fraunce. 

The wordis were sweche as ye may fynde • 

The nexte vers_, as I now have in mynde. 

Nowe welcome somer_, with thy sonne softe^ 680 

That hast thes wintres wedres ovire-shake^ 
And drevyne away the ionge nyghtes blake. 

Saynt Valentyne that ert ful hye olofte^ 

Thus syngen smale foules for thy sake 

Nowe welcome somer, with thy sonne softe, 685 

That hast thes wintr^es wedres ovire-shahe, 

Wele han they cause forto gladen ofte 

Sethe ech of hem recoverede hathe hys make^ 

Ful blisseful mowe they ben when they wake. 

663 quit what. 680 thy om. 



THE PARLEMENT OF FOULES 487 

Nowe welcome somer, with thy sonne softe, 690 

That hast thes wintres wedres ovire-shahe. 
And drevyne away the longe nyghtes hlahe. 

And with the shoutyng^ whan the song was do^ 

That foulys madyn at here flyght awey 

I wok^ and othere bokys tok me to 695 

To rede upon; and yit I rede alwey 

In hope^ I wis_, to rede so sum day 

That I shal mete sum thyng for to fare 

The bet^ and thus to rede I nele nat spare. 

Explicit parliamentuTYi Auium In die sancti Valentini ten- 
turn secundum Galfridum Chaucer, Deo gracias, 

694 the foulys. 



THE LEGEND OF GOOD WOMEN 

The Prologue, 
[A Version^ Later.] 

A thousent sythis have I herd .men telle 

That there is joye in hevene^ and peyne in helle^ 

And I acorde wel that it be so; 

But natheles^ this wit I wel also^ 

That there ne is non that dwellyth in this cuntre 5 

That e^^thir hath in helle or hevene ibe^ 

Ne may of it non othere weyis wytyn^ 

But as he hath herd seyd_, or founde it wrytyn^ 

For by asay there may no man it preve. 

But Goddis forbode^ but men schulde leve 10 

Wel more thyng than men han seyn with eye ! 

Men schal nat wenyn every thyng a lye 

For that he say it nat of yore ago ; 

God wot^ a thyng is nevere the lesse so^ 

Thow every wyght ne may it nat ise; 15 

Bernard the monk ne say nat al^ parde ! 

Thanne motyn we to bokys that we fynde^, 

Thourw whiche that olde thyngis ben in mynde_, 

And to the doctryne of these olde wyse 

Yevyn credence,, in every skylful wyse^ 20 

And trowyn on these olde aprovede storjas 

Of holynesse^ of regnys^ of victoryis^ 

Of love^ of hate^ of othere sundery thyngis^ 

Of whiche I may nat make rehersyngys. 

And if that olde bokis weryn aweye^ 25 

Iloryn were of remembrance the keye. 

Wel oughte us thanne on olde bokys leve^ 

Thereas there is non othyr asay be preve. 

And as for me^ thow that myn wit be lite^ 
On bokys for to rede I me delyte^ 30 

And in myn herte have hem in reverence^ 
And to hem yeve swich lust and swich credence 
That there is wel onethe game non 
That from my bokys make me to gon^ 
34 myne (and elsewhere in this MS.). 



THE LEGEND OF GOOD WOMEN 

The prologe of Ax. goode Wymmen. 
[B Version, Earlier.] 

A thousande tymes I have herd telle 

That ther ys joy in hevene^ and peyne in helle^ 

And I acorde wel that it ys so; 

But netheles^ yet wot I wel also^ * " 

That ther is noon duellyng in this contree 5 

That eythir hath in hevene or helle y-be_, 

Ne may of hit noon other weyes witen^ 

But as he hath herd seyde or founde it writen_, 

For by assay ther may no man it preve. 

But God forbede^ but men shulde leve 10 

Wel more thing then men han seen with eye ! 

Men shal not wenen every thing a lye 

But yf himself e yt seeth^ or elles dooth; 

For God wot^ thing is never the lasse sooth^ 

Thogh every wight ne may it nat ysee ; 15 

Bernarde the monke ne saugh nat all^ pardee! 

Than mote we to bokes that we fynde^ 

Thurgh which that olde thinges ben in mynde^ 

And to the doctrine of these olde wyse 

Yeve credence^ in every skylful wise^ 20 

That tellen of these olde appreved stories^ 

Of holynesse^ of regnes^ of victories^ 

Of love^ of hate^ of other sondry thynges^ 

Of whiche I may not maken rehersynges. 

And yf that olde bokes were awey^ 25 

Yloren were of remembraunce the key. 

Wel ought us thanne honouren and beleve 

These bokes^ there we han noon other preve. 

And as for me^ though that I konne but lyte^ 

On bokes for to rede I me delyte^ SO 

And to hem yive I feyth and ful credence_, 

And in myn herte have hem in reverence 

So hertely^ that ther is game noon 

That fro my bokes maketh me to goon^ 

2 That om. 3 acord. 6 or in. 26 ylorne. 33 hertly. 



490 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

But it be other upon the halyday^ 35 

Or ellis in the joly tyme of May; 

Whan that I here the smale f oulys synge^ 

And that the flouris gynne for to sprynge^ 

Farwel^ my stodye^ as lastynge that sesoun! 

Now have I therto this condycyoun 40 

That of alle the flouris in the mede 

Thanne love I most these flouris white and rede 

Swyche as men calle dayesyis in oure toun; 

To hem have I so gret aiFeceioun^ 

As I seyde erst^ whan comyn is the May 45 

That in myn bed there dawith me no day 

That I ne am up^ and walkynge in the mede 

To sen these flouris agen the sunne to sprede 

Whan it upryseth be the morwe schene^ 

The longe day thus walkynge in the grene. 50 



And whan the sunne gynnys for to weste 

Thanne closeth it^ and drawith it to reste^ 

So sore it is aferid of the nyght^ 

Til on the morwe^ that it is day is lyght; 

This dayeseye^ of alle flouris flour. 55 

Fulfyld of vertu and of alle honour^ 

And evere ilike fayr and fresch of hewe^ 

As wel in wyntyr as in somyr newe 

Fayn wolde I preysyn if I coude^ aryght ; 

But wo is me^ it lyth nat in myn myght ! 60 



For wel I wot^ that folk han here beforn 
Of makynge ropyn^ and lad awey the corn. 

51 begynnys. 57 frosch. 



I 



THE LEGEND OF GOOD WOMEN 491 

But yt be seldom on the holyday; 35 

Save certeynly^ whan that the monethe of May 

Is comen^ and that I here the foules synge^ 

And that the floures gynnen for to sprynge^ 

Fairewel my boke and my devocioun. 

Now have I thanne suche a condicioun^ 40 

That of al the floures in the mede 

Thanne love I most thise floures white and rede^ 

Suche as men eallen daysyes in her toune. 

To hem have I so grete aiFeccioun^ 

As I seyde erst^ whanne comen is the May^ 45 

That in my bed ther daweth me no day 

That I nam uppe and walkyng in the mede^ 

To seen this floure ayein the sonne sprede^ 

Whan it uprysith erly by the morwe. 

That blisful sighte softneth al my sorwe; 50 

So glad am I^ whan that I have presence 

Of it^ to doon it alle reverence^ 

As she that is of alle floures flour^ 

Fulfilled of al vertue and honour^ 

And evere-ilyke faire and fressh of hewe^ 55 

And I love it^ and ever ylike newe^ 

And evere shal til that myn herte dye; 

Al swere I nat^ of this I wol nat lye^ 

Ther loved no wight hotter in his lyve. 

And whan that hit ys eve^ I renne blyve^ 60 

As sone as evere the sonne gynneth weste^ 

To seen this flour_, how it wol go to reste^ 

For fere of nyght^ so hateth she derknesse ! 



Hire chere is pleynly sprad in the brightnesse 

Of the sonne^ for ther yt wol unclose. 65 

Allas^ that I ne had Englyssh^ ryme or prose^ 

Suffisant this flour to preyse aryght ! 

But helpeth^ ye that han konnyng and myght^ 

Ye lovers^ that kan make of sentiment; 

In this case oghte ye be diligent 70 

To forthren me somwhat in my labour^ 

Whethir ye ben with the leef or with the flour. 

For wel I wot that ye han herbiforne 

Of makynge ropen^ and lad awey the corne ; 

50 sight. 52, 53 al. 57 hert. 69 sentment. 70 oght. 



492 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

I come aftyr^ glenynge here and ther^ 

And am ful glad if I may fynde an er 

Of ony goodly word that they han laft. 65 

And if it happe me rehersen eft 

That they han in here fresehe songis said^ 

I hope that they wele nat ben evele apayed ; 

Sithe it is seyd in fortheryng and honour 

Of hem that eythir servyn lef^or flour. 70 

For trustyth wel_, I ne have nat undyrtake 

As of the lef agayn the flour to make, 

Ne of the flour to make ageyn the lef. 

No more than of the corn agen the shef ; 

For as to me is lefere non ne lothere, 75 

I am witholde yit with never nothire; 

I not ho servyth lef ne who the flour, 

That nys nothyng the entent of my labour. 

For this werk is al of anothyr tunne 

Of olde story er swich strif was begunne. 80 



But wherfore that I spak to yeve credence 

To bokys olde, and don hem reverence. 

Is for men schulde autoriteis beleve 

There as there lyth non othyr asay be preve ; 

For myn entent is, or I fro yow fare, 85 

The nakede tixt in Englis to declare 

Of manye a story^ or ellis of manye a geste. 

As autourys seyn, levyth hem if yow leste. 



Whan passed was almost the monyth of May, 

And I hadde romed al the somerys day 90 

The grene medewe, of which that I yow tolde. 

Upon the fresehe dayseie to beholde. 

And that the sonne out of the south gan weste. 

And clothede was the flour, and gon to reste 

For derknese of the nyht of which sche dradde, 95 

Hom to myn hous ful swiftly I me spadde, 

And in a lytyl erber that I have . . 

66 reherse. 67, etc., frosch. 80 old. 93 souht. J| 



THE LEGEND OF GOOD WOMEN 493 

And I come after^ glenyng here and there^ 75 

And am ful glad yf I may fynde an ere 

Of any goodly word that ye han left. 

And thogh it happen me rehercen eft 

That ye han in your fresshe songes sayede^ 

Forbereth me^ and beth nat evele apayede^ 80 

Syn that ye see I do yt in the honour 

Of love^ and eke in service of the flour 

Whom that I serve^ as I have witte or myght. 

She is the clerenesse and the verray lyght^ 

That in this derke worlde me wynt and ledyth. 85 

The hert inwith my sorwfuU brest yow dredith 

And loveth so sore^ that ye ben verrayly 

The maistresse of my witte and no thing I. 

My worde^ my werkes^ ys knyt so in youre bond_, 

That as an harpe obeieth to the hond^ 90 

And rnaketh it soune after his fyngerynge^ 

Ryght so mowe ye oute of myn herte bringe 

Swich vois^ ryght as yow lyst to laughe or pleyn^ 

Be ye my gide and lady sovereyn; 

As to myn erthely god^ to yowe I calle^ 95 

Bothe in this werke^ and in my sorwes alle. 

But wherfore that I spake^ to yive credence 

To olde stories^ and doon hem reverence 

And that men mosten more thyng beleve 

Then men may seen at eighe^ or elles preve? 100 

That shal I seyn^ whanne that I see my tyme ; 

I may not al attones speke in ryme. 

My besy gost^ that thrusteth alwey newe 

To seen this flour so yong^ so fressh of hewe^ 

Constreyned me with so gledy desire^ 105 

That in myn herte I f eele yet the fire 

That made me to ryse^ er yt wer day^ 

(And this was now the firste morwe of May)^ 

With dredful hert and glad devocioun 

For to ben at the resureccioun 110 

Of this flour whan yt shulde unclose 

Agayne the sonne^ that roos as rede as rose; 

That in the brest was of the beste that day 

That Agenores doghtre ladde away. 



79 fressh. 92 hert. 96 in (2) om. 102 al om. 108 this om. 



494 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Ibenchede newe with turwis fresche i-grawe^ 

I bad men schulde me my couche make ; 

For deynte of the newe somerys sake^ 100 

I bad hem strowe flouris on myn bed. 

Whan I was layd^ and hadde myn eyen hid^ 

I fel aslepe withinne an our or two. 

Me mette^ how I was in the medewe tho 

And that I romede in that same gyse 105 

To sen that flour as ye han herd devyse. 

Fayr was this medewe^ as thoughte me^ overall 

With flouris sote enbroudit was it al^ 

As for to speke of gomme_, or erbe_, or tre^ 

Comparisoun may non imakede be; 110 

For it surmountede pleynly alle odours 

And eek of ryche beute alle floury s. 

Forgetyn hadde the erthe his pore estat 

Of wyntyr^ that hym nakede made and mat_, 

And with his swerd of cold so sore hadde grevyd; 115 

Now hadde the tempre sonne al that relevyd^ 

And clothede hym in grene al newe ageyn. 

The smale foulis^ of the seson fayn^ 

That from the panter and the net ben skapid^ 

Upon the foulere that hem made awapid 120 

In wyntyr^ and distroyed hadde hire brod^ 

In his dispit hem thoughte it dede hem good 

To synge of hym^ and in here song despise 

The foule cherl^ that for his covetyse 

Hadde hem betrayed with his sophistrye. 125 

This was here song^ ''The foulere we defye V 

Some songyn layes on the braunehis clere 

Of love and May^ that joye it was to here^ 

In worsehepe and in preysyng of hire make^ 

And of the newe blysful somerys sake^ ISO 



That sungyn^ "Blyssede be Seynt Volentyn ! 

At his day I ches yow to be myn^ 

Withoute repentynge_, myn herte swete V 

And therwithal here bekys gunne mete. 

The honour and the humble obeysaunces 135 

They dede^ and after othere observauncys 

127 layes om. 128 May oni. 135 obeysaunce. 136 And after dedyn. 



THE LEGEND OF GOOD WOMEN 495 



And doune on knes anoon-ryght I me sette^ 115 

And^ as I koude^ this fresshe flour I grette^ 

Knelyng alwey til it unclosed was 

Upon the smale_, softe^ swote gras_, 

That was with floures swote enbrouded al 

Of swich suetnesse^ and swich odour over-al^ 120 

That for to speke of gomme^ or herbe_, or tree^ 

Comparisoun may noon ymaked bee; 

For yt surmounteth pleynly alle odoures^ 

And eek of riche beaute alle floures. 

Forgeten had the erthe his pore estate 125 

Of wyntir^ that hem naked made and mate^ 

And with his swerd of colde so sore greved ; 

Now hath thatempre sonne all that releved 

That naked was^ and clad yt new agayn. 

The smale foules^ of the seson fayn^ 130 

That of the panter and the nette ben scaped^ 

Upon the foweler that hem made awhaped 

In wynter^ and distroyed hadde hire broode^ 

In his dispite hem thoghte yt did hem goode 

To synge of hym^ and in hir songe dispise 135 

The foule cherle^ that for his covetise 

Had hem betrayed with his sophistrye. 

This was hire songe^ "The foweler we defi*ye 

And al his crafte/' and somme songen clere 

Layes of love^ that joye it was to here^ 140 

In worshipynge_, and in preysinge of hir make^ 

And for the newe blisful somers sake. 

Upon the braunches^ ful of blosmes softe^ 

In hire delyt they turned hem ful ofte^ 

And songen^ "Blessed be Seynt Valentyne^ 145 

For on his day I chees yow to be myne^ 

With-outen repentyng^ myn herte swete V 

And therwithalle hire bekes gonnen meete^ 

Yeldyng honour and humble obeysaunces 

To love^ and diden hire othere observaunces 150 

116 fressh. 124: alle of ; eek om . 147 hert. 



496 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Ryht plesyng onto Love and to Nature^ 

So eche of hem doth wel to cryatur. 

This song to herken I dede al myn entent. 

For why^ I mette I wiste what they ment. 140 



137 plesyng om. ; nature. 138 doth wel om.; cryaturys. 139 herkenyn. 



THE LEGEND OF GOOD WOMEN 497 

That longeth onto Love^ and to Nature; — 
Construeth that as yow lyst_, I do no cure. 
And thoo that hadde doon unkyndenesse^ 
As dooth the tydif^ for newfangelnesse 

Besoghte mercy of hir trespassynge, 155 

And humblely songen hire repentynge^ 
And sworen on the blosmes to be trewe^ 
So that hire makes wolde upon hem rewe ; 
And at the laste maden hire acord^ 

Al founde they Daunger for a tyme a lord; 160 

Yet Pitee^ thurgh his stronge gentil myght^ 
Forgaf^ and maked mercy passen ryght^ 
Thurgh innocence and ruled curtesye. 
But I ne clepe nat innocence folye^ 

Ne fals pitee^ for vertue is the mene^ l65 

As Etike seith_, in swich maner I mene. 
And thus thise foweles^ voide of al malice^ 
Acordeden to love_, and laften vice 
Of hate^ and songen alle of oon acorde^ 

'Welcome^ somer^ oure governour and lorde !" 170 

And Zepherus and Flora gentilly 
Yaf to the floures^ softe and tenderly^ 
Hire swoote breth^ and made hem for to sprede^ 
As god and goddesse of the floury mede^ 
In whiche me thoght I myghte day by day 175 

Duellen alwey^ the joly monyth of May^ 
Withouten slepe^ withouten mete or drynke. 
Adoune ful softely I gan to synke^ 
And lenynge on myn elbowe and my syde^ 
The longe day I shoope me for tabide^ 180 

For nothing ellis^ and I shal nat lye^ 
But for to loke upon the daysie; 
That men by reson wel it calle may 
The daisie^ or elles the ye of day_, 

The emperice and floure of floures alle; 185 

I pray to God^ that faire mote she falle^ 
And alle that loven floures for hire sake ! 
But natheles^ ne wene nat that I make 
In preysing of the flour agayn the leef^ 

No more than of the corne agayn the sheef^ 190 

For as to me^ nys lever noon ne lother^ 

153 unkyndnesse. 156 songe. 162 mad. 164 yt nat. 169 songe. 175 myg-ht. 



498 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 



Tyl at the laste a larke song above^ 
"I se^" quod she^ ''the myghty God of Love ; 
Lo yond he comyth^ I se hise wyngis sprede !" 
Tho gan I loken endelong the mede/ 

And saw hym come and in his hond a quene 145 

Clothid in ryal abyte^ al of grene. 
A frette of goold sche hadde^ next hyre her^ 
And upon that a whit corone sche ber 
With many flourys^ and I schal nat lye ; 

For al the worlds ryght as the dayseye 150 

leorounede is with white levys lite^ 
Swiche were the flourys of hire corone white. 
For of o perle fyn and oryental 
Hyre white coroun was imakyd al; 

For whiche the white coroun above the grene 155 

Made hire lyk a dayseye for to sene^ 
Considerede ek the fret of gold above. 
Iclothede was this myhty God of Love 
Of silk^ ibroudede ful of grene grevys^ 

A garlond on his hed of rose levys 160 

Stekid al with lylye flourys newe. 
But of his face I can not seyn the hewe; 
For sekyrly^ his face schon so bryhte 
That with the glem astonede was the syhte^ 
A furlongwey I myhte hym not beholde. l65 

143 loke. 149 mane. 



THE LEGEND OF GOOD WOMEN 499 

I nam withholden yit with never nother 

Ne I not who serveth leef ne who the flour; 

Wei browken they her service or labour^ 

For this thing is al of another tonne 195 

Of olde storye^ er swiche thinge was begonne. 

Whan that the sonne out of the south gan west^ 
And that this floure gan close and goon to rest^ 
For derknesse of the nyght^ the which she dred_, 
Home to myn house ful swiftly I me sped^ 200 

To goon to reste^ and erly for to ryse^ 
To seen this flour sprede^ as I devyse^ 
And in a litel herber that I have^ ^^^""^ 

That benched was on turves fressh ygrave^ 
I bad men sholde me my couche make; 205 

For deyntee of the newe someres sake^ 
I bad hem strawen floures on my bed. 
Whan I was leyde^ and had myn eyen hed^ 
I fel on slepe inwith an houre or twoo. 

Me mette how I lay in the medewe thoo^ 210 

And from afer come walkyng in the mede^ 
To seen this flour that I love so and drede^ 
The God of Love and in his hande a quene^ 
And she was clad in real habite grene. 

A fret of gold she hadde next her heer^ 215 

And upon that a white coroune she beer^ 
With flourouns smale^ and I shal nat lye^ 
For al the worlde ryght as a daysye 
Ycorouned ys with white leves lyte^ 

So were the flowrouns of hire coroune white; 220 

For of o perle fyne^ oriental^ 
Hire white coroune was imaked al; 
For which the white coroune above the grene 
Made hire lyke a daysie for to sene^ 

Considered eke hir fret of golde above. 225 

Yclothed was this myghty God of Love 
In silke^ enbrouded ful of grene greves^ 
Inwith a fret of rede rose leves^ 
The fresshest syn the worlde was first bygonne; 
His gilte here was corowned with a sonne^ 230 

Istede of golde for hevynesse and wyght. 
Therwith me thoght his face shoon so bryght 
That wel unnethes myght I him beholde^ 

192 mother, 215 had. 216 corwne. 



500 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

But at the laste in hande I saw hym holde 

Two fery dartis^ as the gleedys rede^ 

And aungellych hyse wengis gan he sprede. 

And al be that men seyn that blynd is he^ 

Algate me thoughte he myghte wel ise^ 170 

For sternely on me he gan beholde 

So that his lokynge doth myn herte colde. 

And be the hond he held the noble quene 

Corouned with whit and clothede al in grene^ 

So womanly^ so benygne^ and so meke^ 175 

That in this world thow that men wolde seke^ 

Half hire beute schulde men nat fynde 

In cryature that formede is be kynde. 

Hire name was Alceste the debonayre_, 

I preye to God^ that evere falle sche fayre! 180 

For ne hadde eonfort been of hire presence^ 

I hadde be ded^ withoutyn ony defence^ 

For dred of Lovys wordys and his chere^ 

As^ whan tyme is^ hereaftyr ye schal here. 

Byhynde this God of Love^ upon this grene^ 185 

I saw comynge of lady is nynetene^ 
In ryal abyte^ a ful esy pas^ 
And aftyr hem come of wemen swich a tras 
That syn that God Adam made of erthe^ 
The thredde part of wemen^ ne the ferthe^ 190 

Ne wende I not by possibilite^ 
Haddyn evere in this world ibe^ 
And trewe of love these wemen were echon. 
Now whether was that a wondyr thyng or non_, 
That ryht anon, as that they gunne espye 195 

This flour^ whiche that I clepe the dayseye^ 
Ful sodeynly they styntyn alle atonys^ 
And knelede adoun, as it were for the nonys^ 
And aftyr that they wentyn in cumpas 

Daunsynge aboute this flour an esy pas^ 200 

And songyn^ as it were^ in carolewyse^ 
This balade^ whiche that I schal yow devyse. 

167 Two Tho. 172 both. 178 In on. 179 thebonayre. 



THE LEGEND OF GOOD WOMEN 501 

And in his hande me thoght I saugh him holde 

Twoo firy dartes^ as the gledes rede^ 235 

And aungelyke hys wynges saugh I sprede. 

And al be that men seyn that blynd ys he_, 

Algate me thoghte that he myghte se^ 

For sternely on me he gan byholde^ 

So that his loking dooth myn herte colde. 240 

And by the hande he helde this noble quene^ 

Corowned with white and clothed al in grene^ 

So womanly^ so benigne^ and so meke 

That in this world thogh that men wolde seke^ 

Half of hire beaute shulde men nat fynde 245 

In creature that formed ys by kynde. 



And therfore may I seyn^ as thynketh me^ 
This songe^ in preysyng of this lady fre. 

238 thoght, myght. 240 hert. 244 icolde seke om. 245 MS. has only 
nat fynde. 



502 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

[Balade,~\ 

Hyd Absalon^ thy gilte tressis clere; 

Ester^ ley thow thy meknesse al adoun; 

Hyde^ Jonathas^ al thy frendely manere; 205 

Penolope_, and Marcia Catoun_, 

Mak of youre wyf hood no comparisoun ; 

Hyde ye youre beuteis^ Ysoude and Elene^ 

Alceste is here^ that al that may destene. 

Thy fayre body, lat it nat apeere, 210 

Laveyne, and thow, Lucresse of Rome Toun, 

And PoUexene^ that boughte love so dere, 

Ek Cleopatre with al thy passioun, 

Hide ye youre trouth in love and youre renoun; 

And thow, Tysbe, that hast for love swich peyne, 215 

Alceste is here, that al that may desteyne. 

Herro, Dido, Laodomya, alia in fere, 

Ek Phillis hangynge for thyn Demophoun, 

And Canace, espied be thy chere, 

Ysiphile, bytrayed with Jasoun, 220 

Mak of youre trouthe in love no host ne soun ; 

Nor Ypermystre or Adriane, ne pleyne; 

Alceste is here, that al that may disteyne. 

Whan that this balade al isongyn was. 



203, etc., thyne, thyn. 214 ronoun. 



THE LEGEND OF GOOD WOMEN 503 



HydCy Absolon^ thy gilte tresses clere; 

Ester^ ley thou thy mekenesse al adowne; 250 

Hyde^ Jonathas^ al thy frendly manere; 

Penalopee and Marcia Catoun^ 

Make of youre wifhode no comparysoun ; 

Hyde ye youre beautes^ Ysoude and Eleyne ; 

My lady comith^ that al this may disteyne. 255 

Thy faire body^ lat yt nat appere_, 

Lavyne; and thou^ Lucresse of Rome toune^ 

And Polixene^ that boghten love so dere; 

And Cleopatre with al thy passyon^ 

Hyde ye your trouthe of love and your renoun; 260 

And thou Tesbe_, that hast of love suche peyne^ 

My lady comith^ that al this may disteyne. 

Herro^ Dido_, Laudomia^ alle y-fere^ 

And Phillis hangyng for thy Demophon^ 

And Canaee espied by thy ehere^ 265 

Ysiphile^ betraysed with lason^ 

Maketh of your trouthe neythir boost- ne soune; 

Nor Ypermystre or Adriane^ ye tweyne^ 

My lady eometh_, that al this may dysteyne. 

This balade may ful wel y-songen be^ 270 

As I have seyde erst^ by my lady free; 

For certeynly^ al thise mowe nat suffise 

To apperen wyth my lady^ in no wyse. 

For as the sonne wole the fire disteyne^ 

So passeth al my lady sovereyne^ 275 

That ys so good^ so faire^ so debonayre; 

I prey to God^ that ever f alle hire faire ! 

For nadde comfort ben of hire presence^ 

I hadde ben dede withouten any defence^ 

For drede of Loves wordes and his chere; 280 

As when tyme ys^ herafter ye shal here. 

Behynde this God of Love^ upon the grene^ 

I saugh comyng of ladyes nientene 

254 Elyene. 



504 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 



Upon the softe and sote grene gras 225 

They settyn hem ful softely adoun^ 

By ordere alle in cumpas^ alle enveroun. 

Fyrst sat the God of Love^ and thanne this queene. 

With the white corone clad in grene^ 

And sithyn al the remenant by and by^ 230 

As they were of degre^ ful curteysly ; 

Ne nat a word was spokyn in that place 

The mountenaunce of a furlongwey of space. 

I^ lenynge faste by undyr a bente^ 

Abod to knowe what this peple mente^ 2S5 

As stille as ony ston; til at the laste 

The God of Love on me his eye caste^ 

And seyde^ '*Ho restith there?'' and I answerde 

Unto his axsynge^ whan that I hym herde^ 

And seyde^ '*Sere^ it am I''; and cam hym ner^ 240 

And salewede hym. Quod he^ ''What dost thow her 

In my presence^ and that so boldely.'^ 

For it were bettere worthi trewely 

A werm to comen in my syht than thow." 

''And why. sere?'' quod I^ "and it lyke yow?" 245 

"For thow/' quod he^ "art therto nothyng able; 

My servauntis ben alle wyse and honourable^ 

Thow art my mortal f o^ and me warrej^est^ 

And of myne olde servauntis thow mysseyst^ 

And hynderyst hem with thy translacyoun^ 250 

And lettist folk to han devocyoun 

227 in veroun. 244 come. 



I 



THE LEGEND OF GOOD WOMEN 505 

In real habite^ a ful esy paas ; 

And after hem coome of wymen swich a traas^ 285 

That syn that God Adam hadde made of erthe^ 

The thirdde part of mankynde^ or the ferthe^ 

Ne wende I not by possibilitee 

Had ever in this wide worlde ybee. 

And trewe of love thise women were echon. 290 

Now wheither was that a wonder thing or non_, 

That ryght anoon as that they gonne espye 

Thys flour^ which that I clepe the daysie^ 

Ful sodeynly they stynten al attones, 

And knelede doune^ as it were for the nones^ 295 

And songen with o vois^ '*Heel and honour 

To trouthe of womanhede^ and to this flour 

That bereth our alder pris in figurynge; 

Hire white corowne beryth the witnessynge/' 

And with that word^ acompas enviroun^ 300 

They setten hem ful softly adoun. 

First sat the God of Love^ and syth his queue 

With the white corowne^ clad in grene; 

And sithen al the remenaunt by and by^ 

As they were of estaat^ ful curteysly ; 305 

Ne nat a worde was spoken in the place 

The mountaunce of a furlong wey of space. 

I^ knelyng by this floure in good entente^ 

Aboode to knowen what this peple mente^ 

x\s stille as any ston; til at the last 310 

This God of Love on me hyse eighen caste^ 

And seyde^ ''Who kneleth there?'' and I answerde 

Unto his askynge^, whan that I it herde^ 

And seyde^ '*Sir^ it am 1/' and come him nere_, 

And salwed him. Quod he^ "What dostow here 315 

So nygh myn oune floure so boldely.^ 

Yt were better worthy trewely 

A worme to neghen ner my flour than thow." 

"And why^ sire.^'' quod I^ "and yt lyke yow.^^'' 

"For thow/' quod he^ "art therto nothing able. 320 

Yt is my relyke^ digne and delytable^ 

And thow my foo^ and al my folke werreyest^ 

And of myn olde servauntes thow mysseyest^ 

And hynderest hem with thy translacioun^ 

And lettest folke from hire devocioun 325 

294 styten. 297 To (l) The. 314 Sir om. 317 trewly. 



506 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

To servyn me^ and haldist it folye 

To troste on me^ thow mayst it nat denye_, 

For in pleyn tixt^ it nedyth nat to glose^ 

Thow hast translatid the Romauns of the Rose^ 255 

That is an eresye ageyns my lawe^ 

And makyst wise folk fro me withdrawe. 

And thynkist in thy wit^ that is ful cole^ 

That he nys but a verray propre fole 

That lovyth paramouris to harde and hote. 260 

Wei wot I therby^ thow begynnyst dote^ 

As olde folis whan here spiryt f aylyth. 

Thanne blame they f olk^ and wete nat what hem ealyth ! 

Hast thow nat mad in Englys ek the bok 

How that Crisseyde Troylis forsok^ 265 

In schewynge how that wemen han don mis ? 

Bit natheles^ answere me now to this^ 

Why noldist thow as wel a seyd goodnes 

Of wemen^ as thow hast seyd wekedenes? 

Was there no good matyr in thy mynde^ 270 

Ne in alle thy bokys ne coudist thow nat fynde 

Sum story of wemen^ that were goode and trewe ? 

Yis^ God wot sixty bokys olde and newe 

Hast thow thyself^ alle ful of storyis grete^ 

That bothe Romaynys and ek Grekis trete 275 

Of sundery wemen^ whiche lyf that they ladde^ 

And evere an hunderede goode ageyn on badde. 

This knowith God^ and alle clerkis ek^ 

That usyn sweche materis for to sek. 

What seith Valerye, Titus, or Claudyan? 280 

What seith Jerome agayns Jovynyan? 

How clene maydenys and how trewe wyvys, 

How stedefaste wedewys durynge alle here lyvys 

Tellyth Jerome; and that nat of a fewe, 

But I dar seyn an hunderede on a rewe, 285 

That it is pete for to rede, and routhe. 

The wo that they endure for here trouthe. 

For to hyre love were they so trewe. 

That rathere than they wolde take a newe. 

They chose to be ded in sundery wyse, 290 

And deiedyn, as the story wele devyse. 

And some were brend, and some were cut the hals. 

And some dreynt, for they woldyn not be fals, 

262 spryt. 276 ledde. 289 wole. 293 thy. 



THE LEGEND OF GOOD WOMEN 507 

To serve me^ and boldest it folye 

To serve love^ thou maist yt nat denye; 

For in pleyne text^ withouten nede of glose^ 

Thou hast translated the Romaunce of the Rose^ 

That is an heresye ayeins my lawe, 830 

And makest wise folke fro me withdrawe. 



And of Creseyde thou hast seyde as the lyste^ 
That maketh men to wommen lasse triste 



That ben as trewe as ever was any steel. 



326 line defective in MS. 329 translated om. 



508 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

For alle kepid they here maydynhed^ 

Or ellis wedlok^ or here wedewehed; 295 

And this thing was nat kept for holynesse^ 

But al for verray vertu and clennesse^ 

And for men schulde sette on hem no lak ; 

And yit they were hethene^ al the pak^ 

That were so sore adrad of alle schame. 300 

These olde wemen kepte so here name^ 

That in this worlds I trowe^ men schal nat fynde 

A man that coude be so trewe and kynde^ 

As was the leste woman in that tyde. 

What seyth also the Epistelle of Ovyde 305 

Of trewe wyvys and of here labour? 

What Vincent^ in his Estoryal Myrour? 

Ek al the world of autourys maystow here^ 

Cristene and hethene^ trete of swich matere^ 

It nedyth nat al day thus for to endite. 310 

But yit I seye^ what eylyth the to wryte 

The draf of storyis^ and forgete the corn? 

Be Seynt Venus^ of whom that I was born^ 

Althow thow reneyed hast my lay, 

As othere olde folys, manye a day, 315 



Thow schalt repente it, so that it schal be sene !" 

Thanne spak Alceste, the worthyeste queene. 

And seyde, *'God, ryght of youre curteysye, 

Ye motyn herkenyn if he can replye 

Ageyns these poyntys that ye han to hym mevid. 320 

A god ne schulde not thus been agrevyd. 

But of his deite he schal be stable 

And therto ryghtful and ek mercyable. 

He schal nat ryghtfuUy his yre wreke 

Or he have herd the tothyr partye speke. 325 

Al ne is nat gospel that is to yow pleynyd, 

The God of Love hereth manye a tale if eynyd ; 

For in youre court is manye a losengeour, 

And manye a queynte totulour acusour, 

That tabourryn in youre eres manye a thyng 330 

For hate, or for jelous ymagynyng. 

And for to han with you sum dalyaunce. 

308 the te ; mayst tow. 314 reneyist. 318 worthyere. 322 deite dede. 
328 losenger. 



THE LEGEND OF GOOD WOMEN 509 



Of thyn answere avise the ryght weel; 335 

For thogh that thou reneyed hast my lay^ 

As other wrecches han doon many a day^ 

By seynte Venus^ that my moder ysy 

If that thou lyve^ thou shalt repenten this 

So cruelly^ that it shal wele be sene/' 340 

Thoo spake this lady^ clothed al in grene^ 

And seyde^ *'God^ ryght of youre eurtesye_, 

Ye moten herken yf he can replye 

Agayns al this^ that ye have to him meved. 

A god ne sholde nat be thus agreved^ 345 

But of hys deitee he shal be stable^ 

And therto gracious^ and merciable. 

And yf ye nere a god^ that knowen alle^ 

Thanne myght yt be^ as I yow tellen shalle^ 

This man to yow may falsly ben accused^ 350 

That as by right him oughte ben excused. 

For in youre courte ys many a losengeour^ 

And many a queynte totelere accusour, 

That tabouren in youre eres many a sown. 

Ryght aftir hire ymagynacioun^ S55 

To have youre daliance^ and for envie. 

336 that om. 338 seint. 353 aqueynt. 354 swon. 



510 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Envye — I preie to god yeve hire myschaunce ! — 

Is lavender in the grete court alway^ 

For she ne partyth^ neythir nyght ne day^ SS5 

Out of the hous of Cesar^ thus seyth Dante ; 

Whoso that goth^ alwey sche mote not wante. 

This man to yow may wrongly ben acused, 

There as be ryght hym oughte ben excusid; 

Or ellis^ sere^ for that this man is nyce, 340 

He may translate a thyng in no malyce^ 

But for he usyth bokis for to make^ 

And takyth non hed of what matere he take ; 

Therfore he wrot the Rose and ek Crisseyde 

Of innocence^ and nyste what he seyde. 345 

Or hym was bodyn make thilke tweye 

Of sum persone^ and durste it not withseye; 

For he hath wrete manye a bok er this. 

He ne hath not don so grevosly amys 

To translate that olde clerkis wryte^ 350 

As thow that he of maleys wolde endyte 

Despit of love^ and hadde hymself iwrouht. 

This schulde a ryghtwys lord han in his thought^ 

And not ben lyk tyrauntis of Lumbardye 

That usyn wilfulhed and tyrannye; 355 

For he that kyng or lord is naturel^ 

Hym oughte nat be tyraunt and crewel 

As is a fermour^ to don the harm he can; 

He muste thynke^ it is his lige man^ 

And that hym owith^ o verry duetee^ 360 

Schewyn his peple pleyn benygnete^ 

And wel to heryn here excusacyouns^ 

And here compleyntys and petyciouns^ 

In duewe tyme whan they schal it prof re ; 

This is the sentens of the philysophre: S65 

A kyng to kepe hise lygis in justise^ 

Withouten doute^ that is his offise^ 

And thertb is a kyng f ul depe isworn 

Ful manye an hunderede wyntyr here beforn^ 

And for to kepe his lordys hir degre^ 370 

As it is ryght and skylful that they be 

Enhaunsede and honoured^ and most dere. 

For they ben half goddys in this world here; 

335 she he ; nygh. 337 not om. 359 must. 367 which oughtyn. 
372 and om. 



THE LEGEND OF GOOD WOMEN 511 

Thise ben the causes^ and I shal not lye ; 

Envie ys lavendere of the court alway^ 

For she ne parteth_, neither nyght ne day^ 

Out of the house of Cesar^ thus seith Dante; 360 

Who so that gooth_, algate she wol nat wante. 



And eke perauntere for this man ys nyce, 

He myghte doon yt^ gessyng no malice; 

But for he useth thynges for to make^ 

Hym rekketh noght of what matere he take; S65 



Or him was boden maken thilke tweye 

Of somme persone^ and durste yt nat with-seye ; 

Or him repenteth outrely of this^ 

He ne hath nat doon so grevously amys 

To translaten that olde clerkes writen^ 370 

As thogh that he of malice wolde enditen 

Despite of love, and had him-selfe yt wroght. 

This shoolde a ryghtwis lord have in his thoght^ 

And nat be lyke tirauntez of Lumbardye^ 

That han no reward but at tyrannye. 375 

For he that kynge or lord ys naturel^ 

Hym oghte nat be tiraunt ne crewel 

As is a fermour^ to doon the harme he kan. 

He moste thinke yt is his leege man^ 



And is his tresour^ and his gold in cofre. 380 

This is the sentence of the philosophre: 
A kyng to kepe hise leeges in justice^ 
Withouten doute^ that is his office; 



Al wol he kepe hise lordes hire- degree^ 

As it ys ryght and skilful that they bee 385 

Enhaunced and honoured^ and most dere^ 

For they ben half goddys in this world here^ 

363 myght. 364 But om. 366 Or Of. 371 As And. 376 ys in. 377 oght. 



512 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

This schal he don^ bothe to pore and ryche, 

Al be that her estat be nat alyche^ 375 

And han of pore folk compassioun; 

For lo^ the gentyl kynde of the lyoun ! 

For whan a flye oiFendyth hym or bytith^ 

He with his tayl awey the flye smytyth 

Al esyly; for^ of his genterye^ 380 

Hym deynyth nat to wreke hym on a flye^ 

As doth a eurre^ or ellis anothir beste. 

In noble corage oughte ben areste^ 

And weyen every thyng by equite^ 

And evere han reward to his owen degre. 385 

For^ sire^ it is no maystrye for a lord 

To dampne a man withoute answere or word ; 

And for a lord that is wol foul to use. 

And if so be^ he may hym nat ascuse^ 

But axith mercy with a sorweful herte^ 390 

And proferyth hym ryght in his bare scherte 

To been ryght at youre owene jugement^ 

Than ought a God^ by schort avisement^ 

Considere his owene honour and his trespaee. 

For sythe no cause of deth lyth in this cace^ 395 

Yow oughte to ben the lyghtere merciable. 

Letith youre yre and beth sumwhat tretable; 

The man hath servyd yow of his konnyng^ 

And fortheryd youre lawe with his makyng. 

Whil he was yong he kepte youre estat; 400 

I not where he be now a renagat_, 

But wel I wot^ with that he can endyte^ 

He hath makid lewede folk to delyte 

To servyn yow in preysynge of youre name. 

He made the bok that highte the Hous of Fame^ 405 

And ek the Deth of Blaunche the duchesse^ 

And the Parlement of Foulis^ as I gesse^ 

And al the love of Palamon and Arcite 

Of Thebes^ thow the storye is knowe lite; 

And manye an ympne for your halydayis^ 410 

That hightyn baladis^ roundelys^ vyrelayes ; 

And for to speke of othyr besynesse^ 

He hath in prose translatid Boece^ 

And of the Wrechede Engendrynge of Mankynde^ 

374 and om. 384 euerych. 390 But om. 398 konnyg. 410 thour. 
411 and vyrelayis. 



t 



THE LEGEND OF GOOD WOMEN 513 

Yit mote he doon bothe ryght to poore and ryche^ 

Al be that hire estaat be nat yliche^ 

And han of poore folke compassvoun. 390 

For_, loo^ the gentil kynde of the lyon ! 

For whan a flye oiFendith him or biteth^ 

He with his tayle awey the flye smyteth 

Al esely^ for of hys gentry e 

Hym deyneth not to wreke hym on a flye^ 395 

As dooth a curre^ or elles another best. 

In noble corage oughte ben arest^ 

And weyen every thing by equytee^ 

And ever have rewarde to his owen degree. 

For^ syr^ yt is no maistrye for a lorde 400 

To dampne a man without answere of worde_, 

And for a lorde that is ful foule to use. 

And it so be he may hym nat excuse_, 

But asketh mercy with a dredeful herte^ 

And prof ere th him ryght in his bare sherte 405 

To ben ryght at your owen jugement^ 

Than oght a God^ by short avysement^ 

Consydre his owne honour and hys trespas. 

For syth no cause of dethe lyeth in this caas^ 

Yow oghte to ben the lyghter merciable; 410 

Leteth youre ire_, and beth sumwhat tretable ! 

The man hath served yow of his kunnyng^ 

And furthred wel youre lawe in his makyng. 



Al be hit that he kan nat wel endite^ 

Yet hath he made lewde folke delyte 415 

To serve yow^ in preysinge of your name. 

He made the book that hight the Hous of Fame^ 

And eke the deeth of Blaunche the Duchesse^ 

And the Parlement of Foules^ as I gesse^ 

And al the love of Palamon and Arcite 420 

Of Thebes^ thogh the storye ys knowen lyte ; 

And many an ympne for your halydayes^ 

That highten balades^ roundels, virelayes. 

And for to speke of other holynesse. 

He hath in proce translated Boece, 425 



393 fle. 397 ought. 399 to unto. 



514 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

As man may in Pope Innocent ifynde; 415 

And made the Lyf also of Seynt Cecile. 

He made also_, gon sithen a gret while^ 

Ory genes upon the Maudeleyne ; 

Hym oughte now to have the lesse peyne. 

He hath mad manye a lay and manye a thyng; 420 

Now as ye ben a god and ek a kyng^ 

I^ youre Alceste^ whilom Quene of Trace^ 

I axe yow this man ryght of youre grace^ 

That ye hym nevere hurte in al his ly ve ; 

And she schal swere to yow^ and that as blyve, 425 

He schal no more agiltyn in this wyse ; 

But he schal makyn^ as ye wele devyse^ 

Of wemen^ trewe in lovynge al here lyve^ 

Wher-so ye wele_, of maydyn or of wyve ; 

And fortheryn yow^ as meche as he mysseyde 430 

Or in the Rose or ellis in Crisseyde/' 

The God of Love answerede hire thus anon: 

"Madame_," quod he^ ''it is so longe agon 

That I jbw knew so charytable and trewe^ 

That nevere yit^ sithe that the world was newe^ 435 

To me ne fond I never non bet than the ; 

That if that I wele save my degre^ 

I may ne wel not warne youre requeste. 

Al lyth in yow^ doth with hym what yow leste^ 

And al foryeve^ withoute lengere space^ 440 

For who so yevyth a yifte^ or doth a grace^ 

Do it be-tyme^ his thank is wel the more. 

And demyth ye what he shal don therfore. 

Go^ thanke now my lady here/' quod he. 

I ros^ and doun I sette me on my kne^ 445 

And seyde thus: ''Madame^ the God above 

Foryelde yow that ye the God of Love 

Han makyd me his wrethe to f ory eve; 

And yeve me grace so longe for to leve 

That I may knowe sothly what ye be^ 450 

That han me holpyn and put in swich degre. 

But trewely I wende^ as in this cas^ 

Naught have agilt^ ne don to Love trespas. 

For why^ a trewe man withoute drede^ 

Hath nat to parte with a thevys dede^ 455 

417 sithen is. 419 ouughte. 423 rygh. 436 betere. 442 tJie te. 451 put me. 



THE LEGEND OF GOOD WOMEN 515 



And maade the Lyfe also of Seynt Cecile. 

He made also goon sithen a grete while^ 

Origenes upon the Maudeleyne; 

Hym oughte now to have the lesse peyne. 

He hath maade many a lay and many a thinge. 430 

Now as ye be a God and eke a kynge^ 

!_, your Alceste^ whilom queue of Trace, 

Y aske yow this man ryght of your grace^ 

That ye him never hurte in al his lyve. 

And he shal sweren to yow^ and that as blyve^ 435 

He shal never more agilten in this wyse; 

Eut he shal maken^ as ye wol devyse^ 

Of wommen trewe in lovyng al hire lyfe^ 

Wherso ye wol^ of mayden or of wyfe_, 

And forthren yow as muche as he mysseyde 440 

Or in the Rose_, or elles in Creseyde/' 

The God of Love answerede hire anoon^ 

''Madame/' quod he^ ''it is so long agoon 

That I yow knewe so charitable and trewe^ 

That never yit^ syn that the worlde was newe, 445 

To me ne founde y better noon than yee. 

If that I wolde save my degree^ 

I may ne wol nat werne your requeste^ 

Al lyeth in yow^ dooth wyth hym as yow liste ; 

I al foryeve^ withouten lenger space; 450 

For who so yeveth a yifte or dooth a grace^ 

Do it by-tyme^ his thank ys wel the more. 

And demeth ye^ what he shal doo therfore. 

Goo thanke now my lady here/' quod he. 

I roos^ and doune I sette me on my knee^ 455 

And seyde thus^ "Madame^ the God above 

Foryelde yow^ that ye the god of love 

Han maked me his wrathe to foryive^ 

And gyve me grace so long for to lyve^ 

That I may knowe soothly what ye bee^ 460 

That han me holpe and put in this degree. 

But trewely I wende^ as in this cas. 

Naught have agilt^ ne doon to Love trespas. 

For why^ a trewe man^ withouten drede^ 

Hath nat to parten with a theves dede ; 465 

i27 sithen ys. 4S5 as om. 4:37 he am. 447 /ye. 467 ye om. 469 gyve me om. 
461 me in. 462 trewly. 



516 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Ne a trewe lovere oughte me nat blame^ 

Thow that I speke a f als lovere sum schame ; 

They aughte rathere with me for to holde^ 

For that I of Criseyde wrot or tolde^ 

Or of the Rose^ what so myn auctour mente^ 460 

Algate^ God wot^ it was myn entente 

To forthere trouthe in love and it cheryse^ 

And to be war from falsenesse and from vice 

By swich ensaumple^ this was nay menynge." 

And sche answerde^ **Lat be thyn arguynge^ 4^65 

For Love ne wele nat countyrpletyd be 

In ryght ne wrong; and lerne this at me^ 

Thow hast thy grace^ and holde the ryght therto. 

Now wole I seyn^ what penaunce thow schalt do 

For thy trespace^ and undyrstonde it here ; 470 

Thow schalt^ whil that thow levyst yer be yere 

The moste partye of thy lyve spende 

In makynge of a gloryous legende 

Of goode wemen^ maydenys and wyves^ 

That were trewe in lovynge al here lyvys ; 475 

And telle of false men that hem betrayen 

That al here lyf ne don nat but asayen 

How manye wemen they may don a schame. 

For in youre world that is now holdyn game ! 

And thow the lestyth nat a lovere be^ 480 

Spek wel of love^ this penaunce yeve I the; 

And to the God of Love I schal so preye 

That he schal charge hise servauntys. by ony weye. 

To fortheryn the^ and wel thy labour quite. 

Go now thy wey^ thy penaunce is but lyte." 485 



The God of Love gan smyle^ and thanne he seyde^ 

"Wostow/' quod he^ *Vher this be wif or mayde 

Or queen or countesse^ or of what degre 

That hath so lytil penaunce yevyn the^ 

That hast deservyd sorere for to smerte? 490 

But pete rennyth sone in gentil herte; 

That mayst thow sen^ sche kytheth what sche is." 

And I answerde^ "Nay^ sere^ so have I blys^ 

No more but that I se wel sche is good." 

456 oughte may. 469 schat. 471 that om. 472 lyf. 



THE LEGEND OF GOOD WOMEN 517 

Ne a trewe lover oghte me not to blame^ 

Thogh that I spake a fals lovere som shame. 

They oghte rather with me for to holde 

For that I of Creseyde wroot or tolde^ 

Or of the Rose^ what so myn auctour mente. 470 

Algate^ God woot^ yt was myn entente 

To forthren trouthe in love^ and yt cheryce^ 

And to ben war fro falsnesse and fro vice 

By swiche ensample^ this was my menynge/' 

And she answerde, 'Xat be thyn arguynge^ 475 

For Love ne wol nat countrepleted be 

In ryght ne wrong; and lerne that of me; 

Thow hast thy grace^ and holde the ryght therto. 

Now wol I seyn what penance thou shalt do 

For thy trespas^ and understonde yt here^ 480 

Thow shalt^ while that thou lyvest yere by yere^ 

The most partye of thy tyme spende 

In makyng of a glorious legende 

Of goode wymmen^ maydenes and wyves^ 

That weren trew in lovyng al hire lyves^ 485 

And telle of false men that hem bytraien^ 

That al hir lyfe ne do nat but as say en 

How many women they may doon a shame; 

For in youre worlde that is now holde a game ! 

And thogh the lyke nat a lovere bee^ 490 

Speke wel of love ; this penance yive I the. 

And to the God of Love I shal so preye^ 

That he shal charge his servantez^ by any weye_, 

To forthren thee_, and wel thy labour quyte. 

Goo now thy weye^ this penaunce ys but lyte; 495 

And whan this book ys maade^ yive it the queue 

On my byhalfe^ at Eltham or at Sheene.'' 

The God of Love gan smyle^ and than he sayde^ 

**Wostow/' quod he^ "wher this be wyf or mayde^ 

Or queene or countesse^ or of what degre 500 

That hath so lytel penance yiven thee 

That hast deserved sorere for to smerte ? 

But pite renneth soone in gentil herte; 

That maistow seen^ she kytheth what she ys.'' 

And I answered^ ''Naj, sire^ so have I blys^ 505 

Na moore^ but that I see wel she is good.'' 

466 oght. 480 and om. 484 good. 487 line om. 488 they that. 
50^2-3 MS. defective. 



518 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

''That is a trewe tale^ by myn hod/' 495 

Quod Love^ *'and that thow knowist wel^ parde. 

Yif it be so that thow avise the ! 

Hast thow nat in a bok^ lyth in thy cheste^ 

The grete goodnesse of the queene Alceste^ 

That turnede was into a dayesye; 500 

Sche that for hire husbonde ches to deye 

And ek to gon to helle^ rathere than he; 

And Ercules rescued hire^ parde^ 

And broughte hyre out of helle ageyn to blys ?'' 

And I answerde agen^ and seyde^ '*Yis^ 505 

Now knowe I hire^ and is this goode Alceste^ 

The dayeseye^ and myn owene hertes reste? 

Now fele I wel the goodnesse of this wif^ 

That bothe aftyr hire deth and ek hire lyf 

Hire grete bounte doubelyth hire renoun. 510 

Wel hath sche quit me myn aiFeccioun 

That I have to hire flour^ the dayesye; 

No wondyr is^ thow Jove hire stellefye^ 

As tellyth Agaton^ for hyre goodnesse ! 

Hire white coroun beryth of it witnesse; 515 

For also manye vertuys hath sche 

As smale flourys in hyre coroun be. 

Of remembrauns of hire^ and in honour^ 

Cibella made the dayesye and the flour 

Icoroned al with whit^ as men may se ; 520 

And Mars yaf to hire corone red^ parde^ 

In stede of rubeis^ set among the white/' 

Therwith this queene wex red for schame a lyte^ 
Whan sche was preysid so in hire presence. 

Thanne seyde Love^ *'A ful gret neglygence 525 

Was it to the^ to write onstedef astnesse 
Of women^ sithe thow knowist here goodnesse 
By pref^ and ek by storyis here byforn. 
Let be the chaf^ and writ wel of the corn. 
Why noldist thow han writyn of Alceste^ 530 

And latyn Criseide ben aslepe^ and reste .^ 
For of Alceste schulde thy wrytynge be^ 
Syn that thow wist that calandier is she 

Of goodnesse^ for sche taughte of fyn lovynge^ 

And namely^ of wifhod the lyvynge^ 5S5 

496 Qod. 507 herte is. 513 stellesye. 520 ma. 531 rest. 



THE LEGEND OF GOOD WOMEN 519 

"That is a trewe tale_, by myn hood_,'' 

Quod Love^ '*and that thou knowest wel^ pardee^ 

If yt be so that thou avise the ! 

Hastow nat in a book^ lyth in thy cheste^ 510 

The grete goodnesse of the queue Alceste^ 

That turned was into a daysye? 

She that for hire housbonde chees to dye^ 

And eke to goon to helle^ rather than he_, 

And Ercules rescowed hire^ parde^ 515 

And broght hir out of helle agayne to blys ?" 

And I answerd ageyn, and sayde_, ''Yis^ 

Now knowe I hire; and is this good Alceste^ 

The daysie^ and myn owene hertes reste? 

Now fele I weel the goodnesse of this wyf ; 520 

That both aftir hir deth and in hir lyf 

Hir grete bounte doubleth hire renoun. 

Wei hath she quyt me myn afFeccioun 

That I have to hire flour^ the daysye ! 

No wonder ys thogh Jove hire stellyfye^ 525 

As telleth Agaton_, for hire goodenesse. 

Hire white corowne berith of hyt witnesse; 

For also many vertues hadde shee 

As smale florouns in hire corowne bee\ 

In remembraunce of hire and in honoure 530 

Cibella maade the daysye and the floure 

Ycrowned al with white^ as men may see; 

And Mars yaf to hire corowne reede^ pardee^ 

In stede of rubyes^ sette among the white/' 

Therwith this queene wex reed for shame a lyte_, 53 5 

Whan she was preysed so in hire presence. 

Thanne seyde Love^ *'A ful grete necligence 

Was yt to the^ that ylke tyme thou made. 

'Hyd, Ahsolon thy tresses in balade^ 

That thou forgate hire in thi songe to sette^ 540 

Syn that thou art so gretly in hire dette^ 

And wost so wel that kalender ys shee 

To any woman that wol lover bee; 

For she taught al the crafte of fyne lovyng_, 

And namely of wyfhode the lyvyng^ 54^5 

508 that om. 511 gret. 542 so om. 



520 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

And alle the boundys that sche aughte kepe. 

Thy lityl wit was thilke tyme aslepe. 

But now I charge the^ upon thy lyi. 

That in thy legende thow make of this wif. 

Whan thow hast othere smale mad by fore; 540 

And fare now wel_, I charge the no more. 



At Cliopatre I wele that thow begynne^ 

And so forth; and my love so shaltow wynne. 



And with that word of slep I gan a-wake^ 
And ryght thus on my Legende gan I make. 

Explicit prohemium, 

543 Shalt tow. 



THE LEGEND OF GOOD WOMEN 521 

And al the boundes that she oght kepe^ 

Thy litel witte was thilke tyme a-slepe ; 

But now I charge the_, upon thy lyfe 

That in thy legende thou make of thys wyfe 

Whan thou hast other smale ymaade before. 550 

And fare now wel^ I charge the namore. 

But er I goo^ thus muche I wol the telle ; 

Ne shal no trewe lover come in helle. 

Thise other ladies sittynge here arowe 

Ben in thy balade^ yf thou kanst hem knowe; 555 

And in thy bookes alle thou shalt hem fynde. 

Have hem in thy legende now al in mynde; 

I mene of hem that ben in thy knowyng^ 

For here ben twenty thousande moo sittyng 

Thanne thou knowest^ that ben good wommen alle^ 560 

And trewe of love for oght that may byfalle. 

Make the metres of hem as the lest^ 

I mot goon home_, the sonne draweth west_, 

To paradys with al thise companye^ 

And serve alwey the fresshe daysye ! 565 

At Cleopatre I wole that thou begynne^ 

And so forthe_, and my love so shal thou wynne. 

For lat see now^ what man that lover be 

Wol doon so stronge a peyne for love as she? 

I wot wel that thou maist nat al yt ryme^ 570 

That swiche lovers diden in hire tyme; 

It were to long to reden and to here. 

Sufficeth me thou make in this manere^ 

That thou reherce of al hir lyfe the grete^ 

After thise olde auctours lysten for to trete; 575 

For whoso shal so many a storye telle^ 

Sey shortly^ or he shal to longe dwelle.'' 

And with that worde my bokes gan I take^ 
And ryght thus on my Legende gan I make. 

555 thy my. 560 that ben om. 561 may my. 565 fressh. 
571 swich; dide. 573 sufifich. 



THE LEGEND OF CLEOPATRA 

Incipit legenda Cleopatrie regine. 

Aiftyr the deth of Tholome the kyng, 580 

That al Egipt hadde in his governyng^ 

Regnede his queene Cleopataras; 

Tyl on a tyme befel there swich a cas^ 

That out of Rome was sent a senatour_, 

For to conqueryn regnys and honour 585 

Unto the Toun of Rome as was usaunee^ 

To han the world unto hyre obeysaunce; 

And soth to seyne^ Antonius was his name. 

So fil it^ as fortune hym aughte a schame 

Whan he was fallyn in prosperite^ 590 

Rebel unto the Toun of Rome is he^ 

And ovyral this^ the sustyr of Cesar 

He lafte hire falsly_, or that sche was war^ 

And wolde algates han a nothir wif^ 

For which he tok with Rome and Cesar stryf. 595 

Natheles_, for sothe_, this ilke senatour 

Was a ful worthy gentyl werriour_, 

And of his deth it was ful gret damage. 

But love hadde brought this man in swich a rage^ 

And hym so narwe boundyn in his las^ 600 

Al for the love of Cleopataras^ 

That al the world he sette at no value. 

Hym thoughte there nas to hym nothyng so dewe 

As Cleopatras for to love and serve. 

Hym roughte nat in armys for to sterve 605 

In the difFens of hyre^ and of hire ryght. 

This noble queene ek lovede so this knyght_, 

Thourgh his desert^ and for his chyvalrye^ 

As certeynly^ but if that bokys lye^ 

582 queen. 586 usage. 593 falsly falle. 594 algate. 603 thoute. 608 thour. 




THE LEGEND OF CLEOPATRA 523 



He was of j)ersone and of gentillesse^ 6lO 

And of discrecioun and of hardynesse^ 

Worthi to ony wyght that lyvyn may; 

And sche was fayr as is the rose in May. 

And for to make shortly is the beste; 

Sche wax his wif, and hadde hym as hire leste. 615 

The weddynge and the feste to devyse_, 
To me that have ytake swich empryse 
Of so manye a story for to make^ 
It were to longe^ lest that I schulde slake 
Of thyng that beryth more effect and charge. 620 

For men may overlade a schip or barge 
And forthy^ to thefeect thanne wele I skyppe^ 
And al the remenaunt I wele lete slippe. 

Octovyan^ that wod was of this dede^ 
Schop hym an ost on Antonye to lede^ 625 

Al utyrly for his destruccioun^ 
With stoute Romeynys^ crewel as lyoun; 
To schepe they wente_, and thus I lat hem sayle. 

Antonius was war, and wele nat fayle 
To metyn with these Romeynys^ if he may; 630 

Tok eek his red^ and bothe^ upon a day^ 
Hys wif and he^ and al his ost forth wente^ 
To shepe anon^ no lengere they ne stente; 
And in the se it happede hem to mete — 

Up goth the trompe! and for to schoute and schete^ 635 
And peynede hem to sette on with the sunne ; 
With grysely soun out goth the grete gonne^ 
And heterly they hurtelyn al atony s. 
From the top doun comyth the grete stonys ; 
In goth the grapenel so ful of crokis^ 640 

Among the ropis rennyth the scherynge hokys; 
In with the polax presith he and he; 
Byhyndyn the mast begynnyth he to fle ; 
And out a-geyn and dryvyth hym overborde; 

632 wentyn. 642 he & sche. 



524 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

He styngith hym upon his sperys orde; 645 

He rent the seyl with hokys lyk a sithe; 

He bryngith the cuppe and biddyth hem to be blythe ; 

He pouryth pesyn up on the hachis sledere ; 

With pottis ful of lym they gon togedere. 

And thus the longe day togedere they spende^ 650 

Tyl at the laste^ as every thyng hath ende^ 

Antony e is schent^ and put hym to the flyght ; 

And al his folk to-go^ that best go myght. 

Fleth ek the queen, with al hire porpere sayl^ 

For strokys whiche that wente as thikke as hayl; 655 

No wondyr was sche myghte it nat endure. 

And whan that Antonye saw that aventure^ 
"Alias/' quod he^ "the day that I was born ! 
My worshepe in this day thus have I lorn V 
And for dispeyr out of his wit he sterte^ 660 

And rof hymself anon thourgh out the herte_, 
Or that he ferthere wente out of the place. 
His wif^ that coude of Cesar have no grace^ 
To Egipt is fled^ for dred and for destresse. 
But herkenyth^ ye that spekyn of kyndenesse^ 665 

Ye men that falsely swere manye an oth^ 
That ye wele deye^ if that youre love be wroth_, 
Here may ye sen of wemen which a trouthe ! 
This woful Cleopatre hath mad swich routhe 
That ther is tunge non that may it telle ; 670 

But on the morwe sche wolde no lengere dwelle^ 
But made hire subtyl werkemen make a schryne 
Of alle the rubyis and the stonys fyne 
In al Egypte^ that sche coude espie; 

And putte ful the schryne of spicerye^ 675 

And let the cors enbaumme_, and forth sche fette 
This dede cors^ and in the schryne it schette^ 
And next the schryne a pet thanne doth sche grave^ 
And alle the serpentys that sche myghte have^ 

651 hat. 661 thour. 664 is sche. 674 Egypt. 






THE LEGEND OF CLEOPATRA 525 

Sche putte hem in that grave; and thus sche seyde: 680 

"Now^ love^ to whom myn sorweful herte obeyede 

So ferforthly^ that from that blisful our 

That I yow swor to ben al frely your^ 

I mene yow^ Antonius^ my knyght ! 

That nevere wakynge in the day or nyght 685 

Ye nere out of myn hertis remembraunce_, 

For wel or wo^ for carole or for daunce; 

And in myn self this covenaunt made I tho^ 

For ryght swich as ye f eldyn^ wel or wo^ 

As fer forth as it in my power lay 690 

Unreprovable onto my wyfhod ay^ 

The same wolde I fele^ lyf or deth^ 

And thilke covenant^ whil me lastith breth^ 

I wele fulfille^ and that schal ben wel sene; 

Was nevere onto hire love a trewere quene/' QQ5 

And with that word^ nakyd^ with ful good herte. 

Among the serpentis in the pit sche styrte, 

And there sche ches to havyn hire buryinge. 

Anon the nadderys gonne hire for to stynge_, 

And sche hire deth receyvyth with good cheere, 700 

For love of Antonye that was hire so dere. 

And this is storyal soth, it is no fable. 
Now, or I fynde a man thus trewe and stable. 
And wele for love his deth so frely take, 
I preye God let oure hedys nevere ake. Amen. 705 

Explicit Cliopatra.^ 



685 nygh. 689 rygh. 693 comenant. 

^The Legends follow of Thisbe, Dido, Hypsipyle and Medea, Ariadne, Philo- 
mela, Phyllis, and Hypermnestra. 



A COMPLEINT TO HIS LADY 

(I. Seven-line Stanzas, 1) 

The longe nyghtis whan every creature 

Shuld have theyr rest in somwhat^ as be kynde^ 
Or ellis ne may theyr lif nought longe endure^ 
It fallith most into my wooful mynde 

How I so fer have brought my self behynde^ 5 

That_, sauf the deth_, ther may nothyng me lisse, 
So disespaired I am from alle blisse. 

(I. 2) 

This same thought me lastith til the morow. 

And from the morow furth til it be eve; 
There nedith me no care for to borow^ 10 

For both I have gode leyser and goode leve. 
Ther is no wight that wil my wo bireve 
To wepe inough^ and wailen al my fill; 
The sore spark of peyne now doth me spill. 

(3) {^Terza Rima, 1] 

The sore spark of peyne now doth me spill^ 15 

This love that hath me set in suche a place 
That my desire never wil fulfill, 

For neither pite, mercy, neyther grace 
Can I nat fynde; and yit my sorowful hert 

For to be dede, I can it nat arace. 20 

The more I love, the more she doth me smert^ 

Thurgh whiche I se without remedye 
That from the dethe I may in no wise astert. 

f as om. 7 dispaired ; al. 17 neuer wil. 22 / se om. 



A COMPLEINT TO HIS LADY 527 

(4) [II. Terza Rima, 2] 

Now sothly what she hight^ I wil reherce: 
Hir name is Bounte set in Wommanhede^ 25 

Sadnesse in Yowth_, and Beaute Prideles^ 
And Plesaunce under Governaunce and Drede. 

Hir surname is eke Faire Rowtheles 
The Wise iknyt unto Goode Aventure^ 

That^ for I love hir^ she sleeth me giltles. 30 

Hir love I best^ and shal^ while I may dure^ 

Better than my self^ an hundred thousand dele^ 
Than al this worldis riches or creature. 

Now hath nat Love me bestowed wele 
To love^ there I never shal have part? 35 

Elas_, right thus is turned me the whele ! 
Thus am I slayn with Loves fury dart; 

I can but love hir best^, my swete foo^ 
Love hath me taught nomore of his art 

But serve alwey^ and stynte for no woo. 40 

(5) [HI. Ten-line Stanzas, 1] 

In my trewe careful hert there is 
So moche woo^ and eek so litel blisse_, 

That woo is me that ever I was bore. 
For alle thyng whiche I desire^ I mysse^ 
And al that ever I wold nat_, Iwisse^ 45 

That fynd I redy to me evermore; 
And of al this I not to whom me pleyne 

For she that myghte me out of this bryng 
Ne recchith nought^ whether I wepe or synge^ 
So litel rowth hath she upon my peyne. 50 

(6) (III. 2) 

Elas, whan slepyng tyme is^ lo^ than I wake ; 
Whan I shuld daunce_, for feere^ lo^ than I qwake, 

40 stynt. 42 eek om. 44 al. 48 myght. 



528 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

This hevy lifF I leede^ loo^ for yowre sake^ 

Though ye therof in no wise heede take^ 

Myn hertis lady^ and hole my lives qwene 55 

For trewly durst I sey^ and that I fele^ 

Me semeth that your sweete hert of Steele 
Is whetted now ayeines me to kene. 

(7) (HI. 3) 

My dere hert^ and best be-loved foo^ 

Why likith yow to do me al this woo ? 60 

What have I don that grevith yow^ or saide^ 
But for I serve and love yow^ and no mo^ 
And while I live I wil ever do soo ? 

And therfor^ sweete^ me beth nat evil apayed; 
For so goode and so faire as ye be^ 65 

It were right grete wonder but ye had 

Of al servauntis_, both of goode and bad^ 
And lest worthy of al hem^ I am he. 

(8) (III. 4) 

But nevertheless my righte lady swete_, 

Though that I be unkonnyng and unmeete 70 

To serve as I best kowde ay yowre hienesse^ 
Yit is ther non fayner^ that wolde I heete^ 
Than I to do youre ease_, or ellis beete 

What so I wist^ that were to your distresse. 
And had I myght as goode as I have wil^ 75 

Than shuld ye feele where it were so^ or non; 

For in this world than livyng is ther non^ 
That fayner wolde youre hertis wil fulfil. 

(9) (III. 5) 

For both I love^ and eke drede yow so sore^ 

And algatis mote^ and have yow don ful yoore^ 80 

53, 56 missing. 58 ayens. 69 right. 71 best om. 74 distresse hyenesse. 



i 



A COMPLEINT TO HIS LADY 529 

That bettir loved is non^ ne never shal. 
And yit I wold besechen you of nomore 
But levith wele^ and beth nat wroth therfore. 

And lete me serve yow forth_, lo_, this is al. 
For I am nat so hardy^ ne so woode^ 85 

For to desire that ye shuld love me^ 

For wele I wote_, elas^ that wil nat be^ 
I am so litel worthy^ and ye so goode. 

(10) (III. 6) 

For ye be oon the worthyest on lyve^ 

And I the most unlikly for to thryve. 90 

Yit^ for al this^ witeth ye right wele^ 
That ye ne shul me from youre service dryve^ 
That I ne wil ay with al my wittes fyve^ 

Serve yow triewly what wo so that I fele^ 
For I am sette on yow in suche manere^ 95 

That though ye never wil upon me rewe, 

I must yow love^ and bien ever als triew^ 
As any man can^ or may^ on live here. 

(11) (III. 7) 

But the more that I love yow^ goodly free^ 

The lasse fynd I that ye loven me; 100 

Elas^ whan shal that harde witte amend ? 
Where is now al your wommanly pite^ 
Youre gentilnesse^ and your debonarite? 

Wil ye nothyng therof upon me spende? 
And so hoole^ swete^ as I am yowres al^ 105 

And so grete wil as I have yow to serve^ 

Now certis^ and ye lete me thus sterve^ 
Yet have ye wonne theron but a smal. 

83 lovith. 98 here om. 101 hard. 108 ye om. 



530 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

(12) (HI. 8) 

For^ at my knowyng^ I do nat why; 

And this I wil beseche yow hertily^ 110 

That there ever ye finde^ whiles ye live^ 
A triewer servaunt to yow than am I^ 
Loveth [hym] thanne^ and sle me hardily^ 

And [I] my deth to yow wil al for gyve. 
And if ye fynde no trewer [goodly free] 115 

Wil ye sufFre than that I thus spil^ 

And for no maner gilt but my goode wil ? 
Als goode were thanne untriewe as triewe to be. 

(13) {Unique final stanza. III. 9) 

But I, my lif and deth^ to yow obey^ 

And with right buxum her t holy I prey^ 120 

As youre most plesure is^ so doth by me ; 
For wele lever is me liken yow and dye^ 
Than for to any thyng or thynk or say 

That yow myght offenden^ in any tyme. 
And therfor^ swete^ rewe on my peynes smert^ 125 

And of your grace grauntith me som drope^ 

For ellis may me last no blisse ne hope^ 
Ne dwelle withy n my trouble careful hert. 

Explicit Pyte, 

115 trewer so verily. 118 to be triewly. 121 is om. 



' 



ANELYDA AND ARCYTE 

Lo my lordis and ladyes Here folowyng may ye see the 
maner of the lovyng bytwene Arcite of Thebes and AneUda 
the faire Quene of Hermony which with his feyned chere 
doublenesse and flateryng disceiued her withouten cause she 
beyng than oon of the trewest gentilwomen that here lyf 
compleyneth her I beseche you. 

Thow fierse god of armes_, Mars the rede^ 

That in the frosty contrey called Trace^ 

Within thi gresly temple ful of drede 

Honured art^ as patroun of that place^ 

With thi Bellona^ Pallas_, ful of grace^ 5 

Be present^ and my song contynue and guy; 

At my begynnyng thus to the I cry. 

For hit ful depe is sonken in my mynd 

With pitous herte in Englissh for to endite 

This olde story in Latyne which I fynde, 10 

Of quene Anelyda and fals Arcite^ 

That eelde^ which that all can frete and bite^ 

As hit hath froten many a noble story^ 

Hath negh devoured oute of my memory. 

Be favourable eke, thow Polymea, 15 

On Parnaso that with thi sustren glade 

By Ellicon_, noght fer frome Cirea, 

Syngest with voice memorial in the shade, 

Undir the laurier which that may not fade; 

And do that I my ship to haven wynne. 20 

First folowe I Stace, and aftir that Corynne. 

Whan Theseus, with werres longe and grete, 
The aspre folke of Cithe had overcome. 
With laurer corouned, in his chare gold-bete, 
1 fiers. 17 nogrh. 



532 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Home to his cuntre-houses is ecome_, 25 

For which the people^ blisfuU hole and some^ 
So crydon that unto the sterres it wente^ 
And him to honuren^ diden all her entente. 

Beforne this duk_, in signe of hie victorye^ 

The trumpes came^ and in his baner large 30 

The ymage of Mars ; and tokenyng of his glorie^ 

Men mighten seen of tresoure many a charge^ 

Many bright helme_, and many spere and targe_, 

Many a fressh knyght^ and blisful route^ 

On hors and fote^ in all the felde aboute. S5 

Ypolita his wyf^ the hardy quene 

Of Cithea^ that he conquered had^ 

With Emelye^ her yonge sustir shene^ 

Faire in a chaier of gold he with him ladde^ 

That all the ground aboute the chare she sprad 40 

With brightnesse of the beaute in her face^ 

Fulfilled of largesse and of alle grace. 

With his tryumphe^ of la wrier corouned thus^ 

In all the floure of Fortunes yevyng 

Lete I this noble prince^ this Theseus^ 45 

Towardes Attenes in his wey ridyng; 

And fonde I woU in shortly for to bryng 

The slye wey of that I gan to write^ 

Of quene Anelida and fals Arcyte. 






Mars^ which that thurgh his furious cours of yre^ 50 

The olde wrath of Juno to fulfiUe^ 

Hath sette the peoplis hertis both on fyre 

Of Thebes and Grece^ yche othir for to kylle^ 

With blody speris ne rested never stille M 

But throngs now here^ now there^ amongis hem both^ 55 

Tyll everich othir sloughy so were thei wroth. 

37 conquerd. 38 yong. 41 With the. 48 slye sleght. 49 Of the. 50 that om. 



ANELYDA AND ARCYTE 5SS 

For whan Amphyorax and Tydius^ 

Ypomedon^ Parthonopee also 

Weren dede^ and sleyn proude Campaneus^ 

And whan the wrechid Thebans^ bretheren two^ 60 

Were slayne; and kyng Adrastus home ego^ 

So desolate stode Thebes and so bare^ 

That no wight coude remedy of his fare. 

And whan that olde Creon gan espie 

How that the blode riall was brought adoun^ 65 

. He held that cite by his thyrannye^ 
And did the gentils of that regyoune 
To ben his frend^ and wonen in the toune; 
So what for love of him_, and what for awe^ 
The noble folke were to the toune edrawe. 70 

Amonges all thies^ Anelida_, the queue 

Of Ermony was in that toune duellyng^ 

That feirer was than is the sonne shene 

Thurghoute the world so gan her name spryng 

That her to seen had every wight likyng. 75 

For^ as of trouth^ is there non her liche 

Of all the wymen in this worlde riche. 

Yong was this quene^ of twenty yere of elde^ 

Of myddell stature^ and of suche fairenesse 

That Nature had grete joy her to beholde; 80 

And for to speken of her stedfastnes^ 

She passed hath Penelope and Lucresse^ 

And shortly if she shall be comprehendid_, 

In her ne myghte nothing be amendid. 

This Theban knyght eke_, Arcite soth to seyn_, 85 

Was yong^ and therewithall a lusty knyght^ 
But he was double in love^ and nothing pleyne^ 

57 Tedius. 63 coude no. Q5 edoun. 66 heled. 68 wonnen. 78 of om, 
84 myght. 85 Arcite om. ; the soth. 



584^ THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

And subtill in that crafte over any wight^ 

And with his connyng wan that lady bright. 

So ferforth^ loo^ he gan her trouth ensure^ 90 

That she him trustith above eche creature. 

What shuld I seyn? she lovid Arcyte so^ 

That whan that he was absent any throwe^ 

Anon her thought hir herte brast on two^ 

For in her sight to her he bare him lowe^ 95 

So that she wende have all his hert eknowe, 

But he was fals^ hit nas but feyned chere^ 

All nedith not to men suche crafte to lere. 

But natheles^ ful mychell besynesse 

Had he^ or that he myght his lady wynne; 100 

And swore he wolde deye for distresses 

Or from his witte he seyde he wolde twynne. 

Alas^ the while ! for hit was routh and synne^ 

That she upon his sorowis wolde rewe. 

But nothing thenkith the fals as doth the trewe. 105 

Hir fredome fonde Arcyte in suche maner 

That all was his that she hath^ moche or lyte. 

Ne to no creature made she chere^ 

Forther than that hit liked to Arcyte ; 

Ther nas no lacke with wiche he myght her wite^ 110 

Sheo was so ferforthe gyven him to plese^ 

That all that liked him^ hit did her ese. 

There nas to hir no maner lettre sent 

That towchid love^ from anye maner wyght 

That she ne shewid it him or it was brent^ 115 

So pleyne she was^ and did hir fuUe might 

That she nil hyden nothing frome hir knyght^ 

Lest he of eny untrouthe hir upbreyde^ 

Withouten bode his heste sheo obeyde. 

89 wan what. 94 hert. 101 dey. 102 he seyde om. 104 wolden. 
109 to om. 116 ful. 118 upbroyde. 119 cleyde (?). 



ANELYDA AND ARCYTE 535 

And eke he made him jalowse over hir^ 120 

That what that any man had to hir seyde^ 

Anoon he wolde preyen her to swere 

What was that worde^ or maken him yvel apayde^ 

Thanne wende sheo oute of her wyt have brayed^ 

But all this nas but slight and flaterie^ 125 

Withouten love^ of feyned jalowsye. 

And al this toke sheo so debonayrely^ 

That al his willey hir thought hit skilful thing; 

And ever the lenger sheo lovid him tendrely^ 

And did him honour^ as he were a kynge. 130 

Hir hart was to him weddid with a ringe ; 

So ferforthe upon trowthe is hir entente 

That where he goothe hir herte with him wente. 

When sheo shall ete^ on him is al hir thought^ 

That wele unnethe of mete tooke she keepe; 135 

And what that sheo was to hir reste ebrought^ 

On him sheo thought alwey till that sheo slepe ; 

Whan he was absent^ prevely sheo weepe. 

Thus lyvethe f ayere Anelyda the queene 

For fals Arcyte^ that did hir al this tene. 140 

This fals Arcite^ of his nuwefangulnesse_, 

For sheo to him so lovely was and trewe^ 

Tooke lasse deyntee of hir stedfastnesse^ 

And sawe anothere ladye^ proude and nuwe_, 

And ryght anoon he cladde him in her huwe^ 145 

Woot I nowght whethir in white^ rede^ or grene^ 

And falsed fayr Anelide the qwene. 

But natheles^ gret wondre was it noone 

Thawgh he were fals^ for it is kynde of mane^ 

Sithe Lamek was^ that is so longe agoone^ 150 

128 hit hir. 130 ^nd An. 131 weddi. 133 his hert. 137 that om. 
140 al this that. 147 falshed that. 150 lanek. 



536 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

To been in love als fals as ever he cane; 
He was the firste fadre that begane 
To loven too^ and liven in bygamye ; 
And he founde tentis firste^ but yf men lye. 

This fals Arcyte^ sumwhat moste he feyne^ 155 

Whane he was fals^ to cover his traitourye^ 

Right as an hors that can boothe byte and pleyne. 

For he bare hir on honde of trecherye^ 

And swore he coude hir dowbilnesse espie^ 

And all was falsnesse^ that sheo to him mente; l60 

Thus swore this theofF_, and forthe his weye he wente. 

EUas^ what herte myght enduren it^ 

For routhe and woo hir sorow for to tell_, 

Or what man hath the connyng or the witte^ 

Or what man myght within the chambre dwelle, l65 

Yf I to him rehersin shoulde the helle^ 

Which sufFerith faire Anelyda the Quene 

For fals Arcyte^ that did her all this teene? 

Sheo weopethe^ waylethe^ swoonethe pytously^ 

To grounde sheo fallethe^ dede as any stoone^ 170 

Al craumpisshed hir lymmes crockedly. 

Sheo spekithe as hir witte were all agoone^ 

Other coloure thanne asshen Jiath sheo noone^ 

Noon othir worde spekithe sheo^ muche or lyte^ 

But ''mercy^ cruell herte myn^ Arcyte !" 175 

And thus endurith^ til sheo was soo mate 

That sheo nathe foot on whiche sheo may sustene^ 

But forthe langwissing ever in this estate^ 

On which Arcyte hath rowthe noon ne teene ; 

His herte was ellis where^ nuwe and grene^ 180 

That on hir woo nought deynid him to thinke^ 

Him reccheth nought whether sheo fleete or synke. 

152 thateuer. 156 thratourye. 162 hart; endure. 174 luytle. 175 liarte. 
177 foot om. 178 ever om. 182 swynke. 



ANELYDA AND ARCYTE 537 

His nuwe ladye holdithe him so narowe 

Up by the brydell^ at the staves ende^ 

That every worde he drad hit as an arowe; 185 

Hir daunger made him boothe bowe and beende^ 

And as hir lyste_, made him tourne and wende; 

For sheo ne graunted him in hir lyvynge 

No grace^ whi that he hathe luste to synge; 

But drofe him forthe^ unnethe list hir knowe 190 

That he was sarvant unto hir ladishippe^ 

But leste that he vi^ere proude^ sheo held him lowe; 

Thus servethe he_, withouten fee or shipe_, 

Sheo sent him nowe to lande and nowe to shipe; 

And for sheo gave him daunger e al his fille 195 

Therefore sheo had him at hir owne wille. 

Ensaumple of this^ yee thrifty women all^ 

Taketh here Anelida and fals Arcyte; 

That for hir list him dere herte calle^ 

And was soo meke^ therefore he lovd hir luyte; 200 

The kynde of mannes herte is to delighte 

In thing that straunge is^ alsoo God me save ! 

For what he may not gete^ that wolde he have. 

Nowe tourne we to Anelyda ageyne^ 

Which peynithe day by day in languisshing; 205 

But whane sheo sawe that hir gate no gayne_, 

Uppon a day full soroufuU wepynge^ 

Sheo caste hir for to make a compleyning_, 

And of hir owne honde sheo gane hit wryte^ 

And sent hit to hir Theban knyght^ Arcyte. 210 

The compleynte of Anelida the Quene of Hermonye upon 
Arcyte borne of the blode riall of Thebes for his Doublenesse. 

So thirllethe with the poynt of rememberaunce 
The swerde of sorowe^ whette with fals plesaunce^ 

185 hit om. 189 that om.; noo luste. 193 mete or shepe. 198 here of ; fals om. 
199 That And. 201 delight. 209 wreyte. 210 dann Arcyte. 



538 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Myn herte^ bare of blisse and blak of huwe^ 

That turnid is in quakynge all my daunce^ 

My suretee in awhaaped countenaunce^ 215 

Sithe it avay lithe nowght for to be trewe; 

For whoso trewest is^ it shall hir rewe^ 

That servithe love and dothe hir observaunce 

Alday till oon^ and chaungethe for no newe. 

I wot my self e als welle als any wight^ 220 

For I lovid oon with all myn herte and might 

More than myselfe^ an hunderithe thousand sithe, 

And callid him myn hertes lyff^ my knight^, 

And was al his als f er as it was right ; 

When he was glad thane was I evere blythe, 225 

And his disese was to me dethe als swythe; 

And he ageyne his trouthe me had plight 

For evermore^ his ladye me to kythe. 

Nowe is he fals^ ellas ! and causelesse^ 

And of my woo he is so rewthelesse_, 230 

That with oon worde him liste not oonys deyne 

To brynge ageyne my sorowfuU hert in pese. 

For he is kaute up in another lese ; 

Right as him liste^ he laughethe at my peyne^ 

And I ne can myne herte nought restreyne 235 

For to love him_, alweye never the lesse; • 

And of all this I note to whome me pleyne. 

And shall I pleyne^ ellas^ that harde stounde ! — 

Unto my foo that gave myn herte a wounde^ 

And yette desirithe that myne harome be more? 240 

Nay^ certes^ for ther shall I never founde; 

Noon othir helpethe my soores for to sounde^ 

My destenye hathe shapen it full yore. 

213 hart; hues. 219 and om. 225 klythe. 226 For his desire. 
227 trought hathe nie. 233 anether. 241 for certes ther; be founde. 



ANELYDA AND ARCYTE 539 

I woUe noon other medecyne ne lore^ 

I woUe ben ay there I was oones bounde; 245 

That I have seyde^ beo seyde for evermore. 

Ellas^ wher is becomen your gentilnesse^ 

Youre wordes full of plesaunce and humblesse^ 

Youre observaunces^ and so lowe manere_, 

Youre away tinges and youre besynesse 250 

Uppon me^ that ye callid your mastresse^ 

Youre soverayne ladye of this worlde here? 

EUas^ and is there neyther worde ne cheere 

Yee vouchensaiF uppon myn hevinesse? 

Ellas^ youre love^ I bie it all to dere ! 255 

Nowe eertes^ swete^ thaughe that yee 

Thus causelesse the cause be 

Of my dedely adversitee^ 

Your manly raysoun aught it to respite 

To slee your frende^ and namlie me^ 260 

That never yitte in noo degree 

OfFendid yowe^ als wissely he 

That al wot^ oute of woo my sowle quite ! 

But for I was so pleyne^ Arcyte^ 

In all my werkes^ much and lyte^ 265 

And so besye yowe to delyte- — 

Myn honour sauf — meke and kynde and free^ 

Therfore ye putte on me this wyte^ 

And als ye recche not a myte^ 

Thaughe that the swerde of sorowe byte 270 

My woofull herte^ thorowe your creweltee. 

My swete f oo^ whye doo yee soo ? for shame ! 

And thenken yee^ that f ertherid be your name 

To love a newe^ and be untrewe ? nay ! 

And putte yowe in sclaundre nowe and blame 275 

246 syde (2). 253 Ellas om.; there nowe. 259 for to. 269 myght. 271 harte. 
272 foo for. 



540 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

For to do me adversite and grame^, 

That love yowe moste^ God^ well thou woste^ alwaye ? 

Yitt come agayne^ and yit be playne some daye^ 

And than shall this that nowe is mis be game^ 

And al forgyve^ while that here live I maye. 280 

Loo^ herte myne ! al this is for to seyne^ 

As whethir shall I pray or elles pleyne? 

Which is the wey to do yowe to be trewe ? 

For outher mote I have yow in my eheyne^ 

Or withe the dethe yee mutte departe us tweyne^ 285 

Ther lithe noon othir meene weyes nuwe; 

For God so wissly of my soule ruwe^ 

As verraylye yee slee me with the peyne^ 

That may yee see unfeynid on myn huwe. 

For thus ferforth have I my deth ysoghte^ 290 

Myselfe I morder with my pryve thoghte^ 

For sorou and routh of youre unkyndenes ; 

I wepe^ I wake^ I f aste^ all helpeth noghte ; 

I weyve j oy that is to speke of oghte ; 

I voyde companye^ I flee gladdenes^ 295 

Who may avaunte her bet of hevynes 

Then I ? and to this plite have ye me broghte^ 

Withoute gilte_, me nedyth no witnes. 

And shulde I preye and weyve womanhode? 

Nay rathere dye^ than do soo creuell dede^ 300 

And axse mercy causeles^ what nede? 

And yf I pleyne what life that I lede^ 

Thane wol yee laughe^ I knowe it oute of drede. 

And yf that I to yowe myne othes beede 

For myn excuse^ a scorne shall be my mede; 305 

Youre chere flourethe but it wolle not sede^ 

Full longe a-gon I ought to have taken hede. 

280 forgyven. 282 As And. 285 twene. 290 soght. This stanza from MS. 
Tanner 346. 293 wake wele. 294 iceyve voyde. 296 avaunce. 299 iveyve 
venyone. 300 than that. 



ANELYDA AND ARCYTE 541 

For thaughe I hade yowe nuwe to morowe agayne 

I myght als weele kepe Averyll from rayne 

As holde yow trewe_, to make yowe stedfaste. 310 

Almyghti God^ of trowthe soverayne^ 

Where is the trowthe of man^ whoo hathe it slayne ? 

Sheo that hem trustithe shall hem fynde als faste^ 

As in a tempeste is the roton maste. 

Is that a tame beste that is ay fayne 315 

To fleen aweye^ when he is leeste agaste? 

But mercy^ swete^ yf I myssaye^ 

Have I ought saide oute of the waye ? 

I not; my wytte is halfFe awaye^ 

I fare as dothe the songe of Chaunte-pleure ; 320 

For nowe I pleyne^ and now I playe^ 

I am so mased that I deye. 

Arcyte hathe borne aweye the keye 

Of all my worlde^ and my goode aventure. 

For in this worlde nys creature . 325 

Wakynge in moore discomfiture 

Thane I^ ne more sorowe endure ; 

And yf I slepe a furlonge wey or tweye^ 

Than thinkithe me that youre figure 

Before me stante cloothed in asure^ 330 

To profren efte^ and nuwe ensure 

For to be trewe^ and love me til I deye. 

The longe nyght this wonder sight I drye^ 

And on the day for thilke af raye I dye^ 

And of al this right nought^ ewysse^ yee rechche. SS5 

Ne never mo myne eyen two beo drye^ 

And to youre routh and to your trouthe I crye 

But welawaye ! to f er ben thei to f ecche ; 

Thus holdithe me my destenye a wrechche. 

310 to and; yowe hoole. 316 leeste lefte. 332 dye. 337 rought. 



542 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

But me to rede oute of this drede or gjc 340 

Ne may my witte^ so weyke is it^ nought strecehe. 

Thanne eonde I thus^ sithe I may do namore^ 

And yeve it up for now and evir-more; 

For shall I never efte put in balaunse 

My sikurnesse^ or leorne of love the lore. 345 

But as the swane^ I have harde sey full yore, 

Ageynist his dethe shall syngen his penaunse. 

So sey I here my destenye or ehaunce. 

How that Arcyte Anelyda so sore 

Hathe thrilled with the poynte of rememberaunce. 350 

When that Annelida, this wo full quene, 
Hath of her hande writen in this wise, 
With face dede, betwixe pale and grene, 
She felle a-swow, and sith she gan to rise, 
And unto Mars avowyth sacrifice, S55 

Withinne the temple, with a sorofuU chere. 
That shapyn was, as ye shall aftyr here. 

340 gye crye. 342 eondid. 351 This stanza from Tanner MS. 

[Unfinished,'] 



THE FORMER AGE 

(De Consolationo of Boethius, Philosophiae.) 

Chawcer vp-on this fyfte metur of the second book. 

A blysful lyf^ a paysyble and a swete 

Ledden the peples in the former age; 

They helde hem paied of fructes that they ete 

Whiche that the feldes yave hem by usage. 

They ne were nat f orpampred with owtrage ; 5 

Onknowyn was the querne and ek the melle^ 

They eten mast_, hawes^ and swych pownage^ 

And dronken water of the colde welle. 

Yit nas the grownd nat wownded with the plowh^ 

But corn up sprong^ unsowe of mannes hond^ 10 

The which they gnodded_, and eete nat half inowh; 

No man yit knewe the forwes of his lond^ 

No man the fyr owt of the flynt yit fonde; 

Unkorven and ungrobbed lay the vyne; 

No man yit in the morter spices grond^ 15 

To clarre^ ne to sawse of galentyne. 

No madyr_, welde^ or wod no litestere 

Ne knewh^ the fles was of his former hewe; 

No flessh ne wyste offence of cgge or spere; 

No coyn ne knewh man^ which is fals or trewe; 20 

No ship yit karf the wawes grene and blewe; 

No marchaunt yit ne fette owtlandissh ware; 

No trompes for the werres folk ne knewe^ 

Ne towres heye^, and walles rownde or square. 

What sholde it han avayled to werreye.^ 25 

Ther lay no profyt^ ther was no rychesse; 
Eut corsed was the tyme^ I dar wel seye^ 

2 poeples. 3 of the. 6 quyerne. 18 his is. 23 ba tails trompes. 



544 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

That men fyrst dede hir swety bysynesse 

To grobbe up metal^ lurkynge in dirkenesse. 

And in the ryverys fyrst gemmys sowhte. 30 

AUas^ than sprong up al the cursydnesse 

Of coveytyse^ that fyrst owr sorwe browhte ! 

Thyse tyrauntes put hem gladly nat in pres 

No wyldnesse^ ne no busshes^ for to wynne 

Ther poverte is^ as seith Diogenes^ 35 

Ther as vitayle is ek so skars and thinne 

That nat but mast or apples is therinne ; 

But ther as bagges ben and fat vitaile_, 

Ther wol they gon^ and spare for no synne^ 

With al hir ost the cyte forto asayle. 40 

Yit was no paleis chaumbres^ ne non halles^ 

In kaves and in wodes softe and swete 

Sleptin this blyssed folk^ withowte walles^ 

On gras or leves in parfyt quiete. 

No down of fetheres^ ne no bleched shete 45 

Was kyd to hem_, but in surte they slepte ; 

Hir hertes were al on withowte galles^ 

Everych of hem his feith to oother kepte. 

Unf orged was the hawberke and the plate ; 

The lambyssh poeple^ voyde of alle vyse^ 50 

Hadden no fantesye to debate^ 

But eche of hem wolde oother wel cheryee; 

No pride^ non envye^ non avaryee^ 

No lord^ no taylage by no tyranye ; 

Umblesse and Pes^ good Feith^ the emperice^ 55 

[Line lost,] 

34 places wyldnesse. 42 in (2) om. 44 On or; joye reste and quiete. 
50 voyded. 56 Skeat suggests: Fulfilled erthe of olde curtesye ; the editor: And 
Charite, thise koude hem beter gye. 



THE FORMER AGE 54^5 

Yit was nat Juppiter the lykerous^ 

That fyrst was fadyr of delicasie^ 

Come in this worlds ne Nembrot^ desyrous 

To regne^ had nat maad his towres hye. 60 

Alias ! alias ! now may men wepe and crye. 

For in owre dayes nis but covetyse^ 

Dowblenesse^ and tresoun^ and envye^ 

Poyson^ manslawhtre^ and mordre in sondry wyse. 

61 men om. 64 Poyson and. 



ADAM SCRIVENER 

Chancier s wordes a Geffrey unto A dame his owen scryveyne, 

Adam scryveyne^ if ever it thee byfalle^ 

Boece or Troylus for to wryten nuwe, 

Under thy long lokkes thowe most have the scalle, 

But affter my makyng thowe wryte more truwe; 

So offt a daye I mot thy werk renuwe, 5 

It to corect^ and eke to rubbe and scrape^ 

And al is thorugh thy necglygenee and rape. 



FORTUNE 

Le pleintif countre Fortune. 

This wrecched worldes transmutacioun^ 

As wele or wo^ now pore and now honour^ 

Withowten ordyr or wis descresyoun^ 

Governed is by Fortunes errour. 

But natheles^ the lakke of hyr favowr 5 

Ne may nat don me syngen^ thowh I deye^ 

'Jay tout perdu mon temps et mon labour;' 

For fynaly, Fortune^ I the deffye. 

Yit is me left the lyht of my resoun^ 

To knowen frend fro foo in thi merowr. 10 

So mochel hath yit thy whirlynge up and down 

Itawht me for to knowen in an howr. 

But trewely^ no fors of thi reddowr 

To hym that over hymself hath the maystrye ! 

My suiFysaunce shal be my socour^ 15 

For fynaly^ Fortune^ I thee deffye. 

Socrates^ thou stidfast chaumpyoun. 
She never myhte be thi tormentowr; 
Thow never dreddest hyr oppressyoun^ 

Ne in hyr chere fownde thow no savour. 20 

Thow knewe wel deseyte of hyr colour 
And that hir moste worshipe is to lye. 

1 know hir ek a fals dissimulour_, 
For fynaly^ Fortune^ I the deffye! 

Le respounce de fortune a pleintif. 

No man ys wrechchyd^ but hymself yt wene^ 25 

And he that hath hymself hath suffisaunee. 

1 worlde is. 2 poeere. 12 knowe. 18 myht. 21 the deseyte. 22 most. 
23 knew. 



548 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Whi seysthow thanne^ y am to the so kene^ 

That hast thyself owt of my governaunce? 

Sey thus_, *'graunt mercy of thyn haboundaunce^ 

That thow hast lent or this." Why wolt thou stryve? 30 

What^ woost thow yit how y the wol avaunce ? 

And ek thow hast thy beste frende alyve. 

I have the tawht devisyoun bytwene 

Frend of effect and frende of cowntenaunce. 

The nedeth nat the galle of no hyene 35 

That cureth eyen derkyd for penaunce. 

Now seist thow cleer that were in ignoraunce. 

Yit halt thin ancre^ and yit thow mayst aryve 

Ther bownte berth the keye of my substaunce : 

And ek thou hast thy beste frende alyve. 40 

How manye have I refused to sustene^ 

Syn I the f ostred have in thy plesaunce ! 

Wolthow thanne make a statute on thy queue 

That I shal ben ay at thy ordynaunce.^ 

Thow born art in my regne of varyaunce^ 45 

Abowte the wheel with oother most thow dryve ; 

My loore is bet than wikke is thi grevaunce^ 

And ek thou hast thy beste frende alyve. 

Le Respounce du pleintif countre fortune. 

Thy loore y dempne ! it is adversyte. 

My frend maysthow nat reven^ blynde goddesse. 50 

That I thy frendes knowe^ I thanke to the; 
Tak hem agayn^ lat hem go lye on presse. 
The negardye in kepynge hyr rychesse 
Prenostik is, thow wolt hir towr asayle; 

Wikke appetyt comth ay before sykenesse^ 55 

In general this rewle may nat fayle. 
27 to om. 43 quyene. 



FORTUNE 549 

Le respounce de fortune countre le pleintif. 

Thow pynchest at my mutabylyte^ 

For I the lente a drope of my rychesse ; 

And now me lykyth to withdrawe me^ 

Whi sholdysthow my realte apresse? 60 

The see may ebbe and flowen moore or lesse^ 

The welkne hath myht to shyne^ reyne^ or hayle ; 

Ryht so mot I kythen my brutelnesse^ 

In general this rewle may nat f ayle. 

Lo^ the execussyoun of the majeste 65 

That al purveyeth of his ryhtwysnesse^ 

That same thinge 'Fortune' clepyn je, 

Ye blynde beestys ful of lewednesse ! 

The hevene hath proprete of sykyrnesse^ 

This world hath ever resteles travayle. 70 

Thy laste day is ende of myn intresse^ 

In general^ this rewele may nat fayle. 

Lenvoy de fortune. 

Prynses^ I prey yow^ of yowre gentilesse^ 

Lat nat this man on me thus crye and pleyne^ 

And I shal quyte yow yowre bysynesse. 75 

At my requeste_, as thre of yow or tweyne^ 

That but yow lest releve hym of hys peyne^ 

Preyeth hys beste frend of his noblesse^ 

That to som betere estat he may attayne. 

65 the om.; excussyoun. 71 intersse. 78 best. 



MERCILES BEAUTE: A TRIPLE 
ROUNDEL 



Yowre yen two woUe sle me sodenly^ 

I may the beaute of them not sustene^ 

So wondeth it thorowout my herte kene. 

And but your word will helen hastily 

Mi hertis wounde^ while that hit is grene, 5 

Your yen two wol sle me sodenly, 

I may the beaute of hem not sustene. 

Upon my trouth I sey yow feithfuUy 

That ye ben of my lifFe and deth the queue ; 

For with my deth the trouthe shal be sene. 10 

Your yen two wol sle me sodenly 

I may the beaute of them not sustene 

So wondeth hit thorowout my herte kene, 

II. 

So hath yowr beaute fro your herte chaced 

Pitee that me navailleth not to pleyn^ 15 

For Danger halt your mercy in his cheyne. 

Giltles my deth thus han ye me purchaced ; 

I sey yow soth^ me nedeth not to fayn. 

So hath your beaute fro your herte chaced 

Pite that me navailleth not to pleyn. 20 

Alias that nature hath in yow compased 
So grete beaute^ that no man may atteyn 
To merey^ though he sterve for the peyn. 

1 two yen. 

6, 7, 11, 12, 13, etc. The refrain only indicated by two words. 10 trouth. 



MERCILES BEAUTE 551 

So hath your beaute fro your herte chaced 

Pite that me navailleth not to pleyn 25 

For Danger halt your mercy in his cheyne, 

III. 

Syn I fro Love escaped am so fat^ 

I nevere thenk to ben in his prison lene; 

Sin I am free^ I counte him not a bene. 

He may answere and sey this or that; 30 

I do no f ors^ I speke right as I mene, 

Syn I fro Love escaped am so fat 

I nevere thenk to ben in his prison lene. 

Love hath my name istrike out of his selat^ 

And he is strike out of my bokes clene 35 

For evermo^ this is non other mene^ 

Syn I fro Love escaped am so fat, 

I nevere thenk to ben in his prison lene; 

Sin I am free I counte him not a bene. 



TO ROSEMOUNDE: A BALADE 

Madame^ ye ben of al beaute shryne 

As fer as eercled is the mapamonde; 

For as the cristall glorious ye shyne^ 

And lyke ruby ben your chekys rounde. 

Therwith ye ben so mery and so joconde 5 

That at a revell whan that I se you dance^ 

It is an oynement unto my wounde^ 

Thogh ye to me ne do no daliaunce ! 

For thogh I wepe of teres ful a tyne^ 

Yet may that wo myn herte nat eonf ounde ; 10 

Your seemly voys that ye so smal outtwyne 

Makyth my thoght in joye and blys habounde. 

So curtaysly I go_, with love bounde^ 

That to myself I sey, in my penaunce^ 

*'Suffyseth me to love you^ Rosemounde^ 15 

Thogh ye to me do no daliaunce !'' 

Nas never pyk walwed in galauntyne 

As I in love am walwed and iwounde ; 

For which ful ofte I of myself devyne 

That I am trewe Tristam the secounde. 20 

My love may not ref reyde- be nor affounde ; 

I brenne ay in an amorouse plesaunce. 

Do what ye lyst ; I wyl your thral be f ounde^ 

Thogh ye to me ne do no daliance. 

8 Thoght. 11 semy; sma? fynall (Sk). 20 trew. 



TRUTH 

Fie fro the pres^ and dwelle with sothefastnesse^ 

Suffise thin owen things thei it be smal; 

For horde hathe hate and clymbyng tykelnesse^ 

Frees hathe envye, and wele blent overal. 

Savoure rfo more thanne the byhove schal^ 5 

Reule weel thiself that other folk canst reede^ 

And trouthe schal delyvere_, it is no drede. 

Tempest the nought al eroked to redresse 

In trust of hire that tourneth as a bal. 

Myche wele stant in litel besynesse^ 10 

Bywar therfore to spurne ageyns an al; 

Stryve not as dothe the crokke with the wal. 

Daunte thiself that dauntest otheres dede^ 

And trouthe shal delyvere^ it is no drede. 

That the is sent^ receyve in buxhumnesse; 15 

The wrestlyng for the worlde axeth a f al. 

Here is non home^ here nys but wyldernesse_, 

Forthe^ pylgryme^ f orthe ! f orthe^ beste^ out of thi stal ! 

Knowe thi contre ! loke up ! thonk God of al ! 

Holde the heye-weye^ and lat thi gost the lede^ 20 

And trouthe shal delyvere^ it is no drede. 

[L'envoy.^ 

Ther-fore^ thou vache^ leve thine olde wrechedenesse 

Unto the world; leve now to be thral. 

Crie Hym mercy^ that of Hys hie godnesse 

Made the of nought and in especial 25 

Drawe unto Hym^ and pray in general 

For the and eke for other hevenelyche mede^ 

And trouthe schal delyvere^ it is no drede. 



GENTILESSE 

The firste stocke^ fader of gentilnesse^ 

What man desireth gentil for to be 

Must folowe his trace^ and alle his wittes dresse 

Vertu to love_, and vyces for to flee; 

For unto vertu longeth dignite^ • 5 

And nought the reverse^ savely dar I deme 

Al were he miter^ croune^ or dyademe. 

This firste stok was full of rightwisenesse^ 

Trewe of his word^ sobre^ pitous^ and fre^ 

Clene of his goost^ and loved besynesse 10 

Ayenst the vyse of slouthe^ in honestee; 

And but his heire love vertue as did he^ 

He is nought gentil^ thogh he riche seme^ 

Al were he myter^ croune^ or dyademe. 

Vices may well be heire to olde richesse^ 15 

But ther may no man^ as men may well se^ 

Biquethe his heire his vertuous noblesse; 

That is aproprid unto no degre^ 

But to the first fader in magestee^ 

That maketh his heires hem that can hym queme. 20 

Al were he mytre^ croune. or dyademe. 

7 coroune miter. 8 first. 14, 21 coroune. 15 Vicesse. 17 vertues noblisse. 
20 can om. 



ENVOY TO SCOGAN 

Litera directa de Scogon per. G. C. 

To-brokene ben the statutis hye in hevene 

That ereat were eternally to dure^ 

Syn that I se the bryghte goddis sevene 

Mow wepe and wayle^ and passioun endure^ 

As may in erthe a mortal creature. 5 

Allas_, fro whennes may this thyng procede? 

Of whiche errour I deye almost for drede. 

Be word eterne whilhom was it schape 

That fro the fifte serkele_, in no manere^ 

Ne myghte a drope of teeris doun escape; 10 

But now so wepyth Venus in hir spere^ 

That with hire teris sche wele drenche us here. 

Allas^ Skogon^ this is for thyn offence^ 

Thu causist this deluge of pestelence. 

Hast thu not seyd^ in blaspheme of the goddis^ 15 

Thour pride^ or thour thy grete rechelesnesse_, 

Swich thyng as in the lawe of love forbode is^ 

That for thy ladi saw not thy distresses 

Therf ore thou yeve hire up at Mychelmesse ! 

Allas_, Scogon^ of olde folk ne yong^ 20 

Was nevere erst Scogon blamyd for his tong ! 

Thow drow in scorn Cupid ek to record 

Of thilke rebel word that thou hast spoken ; 

For whiche he wele no lengere be thy lord. 

And thow his bowe^ Scogon^ be not broken^ 25 

He wil not with his arwis ben iwroken 

On the^ ne me^ ne none of oure figure; 

We schal of him have neyther hurt ne cure. 

1 hye om. 4 pascioun. 6 whens. 11 his. 14 deluye. 17 forbodyn. 
20 no thong. 23 the ilke. 



556 



THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 



Now sertys^ frend^ I drede of thyn onhap^ 
Lest for thy gilt the wreche of love procede 
On alle hem_, that ben hore and round of schap^ 
That ben so likly folk in love to spede. 
Thanne schal we for oure labour han no mede; 
But wel I wit^ thou wilt answere and seye^ 
'*Lo^ olde Grisil leste to ryme and pleye." 

Nay^ Scogon^ sey not so^ for I me excuse^ 
God helpe me so ! in no rym douteles^ 
Ne thynke I nevere of slep to wake my muse. 
That rustyth in myn schethe stylle in pes. 
Whil I was yong^ I putte it forth in pres ; 
But al schal passyn that men prose or ryme, 
Tak every man his torn, as for his tyme. 



30 



S5 



40 



Envoy. 

Scogan, that knelist at the wellis hed 

Of grace, of alle honour and worthynesse. 

In the ende of wich strem I am dul as ded, 

Forgete in solitarie wildirnes, 

Yit, Scogan, thynk on TuUius kyndenes ; 

Mynne thy frend, there it may fructifie, 

Farewel, and loke thou nevere eft Love defye ! 



.i. Wyndisore 

45 

i. a Grenewych 



39 schede. 47 thyng. 48 Mynewe. 



LAK OF STEDFASTNESSE 

Geffrey Chauncier sende these Balades to kyng Richard. 

Sumtyme this world was so stedefast and stable 

That mannes word was obligacioun^ 

But now it is so fals and disceyvable 

That word and dede^ as in conclusioun_, 

Ben nothyng on_, for turned up so doun 5 

Is al this world for mede and wilfulnesses 

That al is lost for lak of stedefastnesse. 

What maketh this world to be so variable 

But lust that folkis han in discensioun? 

For nowadayes a man is holde unable # 10 

But yf he can^ by som coUusioun^ 

Do to his neyghbur wrong or oppressioun. 

What causeth that but wilful wrecehednesse^ 

That al is lost for lak of stedefastnesse? 

Trouthe is put doun^ resoun is holde fable ; 1 5 

Vertu hath now no domynacioun ; 

Pyte exiled^ no man is mercyable; 

Thurgh covetyse is blent discrecioun; 

The world hath mad a permutacioun 

Fro ryght to wrongs fro trouthe to iikulnesse^ 20 

That al is lost for lak of stedefastnesse. 

Lenvoy. 

O prince^ desyre to be honurable^ 

Cherysshe thi folk^ and hate extorcioun; 

Suffre no thyng that may be reproveable 

To thyn estate don in thi regioun. 25 

Shewe forth thi swerd of castigacioun^ 

Drede God^ do lawe^ love trouthe and rightwesnesse^ 

And dryve thi peple agayn to stedefastnesse. 



LENVOY DE CHAUCER A BUKTON 

My maister Bukton^ whan of Criste our kyng 

Was axed, what ys trouthe or sothefastnesse. 

He nat a worde answerde to that axinge. 

As who saith: *'Noo man is al trewe, I gesse." 

And therfore, though I highte to expresse 5 

The sorwe and woo that is in mariage, 

I dar not writen of hyt noo wikkednesse, 

Leste y myself falle eft in swich dotage, 

I wol nat seyn, how that hyt is the cheyne 

Of Sathanas, on which he gnaweth evere; 10 

But I dar steyn, were he oute of his peyne. 

As by his wille he wolde be bounde nevere. 

But thilke doted foole that efte hath levere 

Yeheyned be than out of prison crepe, 

God lete him never fro his woo dissevere, 15 

Ne noo man him bewayle, though he wepe. 

But yet, lest thow doo worse, take a wyf e ; 

Bet ys to wedde than brenne in worse wise. 

But thow shalt have sorwe on thy flessh thy lyfe. 

And ben thy wif es thral, as seyn these wise ; 20 

And yf that hooly writte may nat sufFyse, 

Experience shal the teche, so may happe. 

That the were lever to be take in Frise, 

Than eft to falle of weddynge in the trappe. 

Envoy. 

This lytel writte, proverbes, or figure 25 

I sende yow, take kepe of hyt, I rede. 

5 hight. 13 efte ofte. 24 to om. 



LENVOY DE CHAUCER A BUKTON 559 

Unwise is he that kan noo wele endure, 

Yf thow be siker, put the nat in drede. 

The Wyfe of Bathe I pray yow that ye rede 

Of this matere that we have on honde, 30 

God graunte yow your lyfe frely to lede 

In fredam, for ful harde is to be bonde. 

32 it is. 



I 



THE COMPLEYNT OF VENUS 

And filowing begynnethe a balade translated out o£ frenshe 
into englisshe by Chaucier Geffrey the frenshe made sir 
Otes de Grauntsome knight Savosyen. 

Ther nys so hye coumfort to my plesaunce^ 

Whane that I am in' any hevynesse^ 

As for to have leyser of remembraunce 

Upon the manhoode and the worthynesse^ 5 

Upon the trouthe and the stedfastnesse 

Of him_, whos I am alweys^ whyle I may dure; 

Ther aught to blamen me no creature^ 

For he is croppe and roote of gentylesse. 

In him is bountee^ wysdam^ and gouvernaunce^ 

Weel more thanne any mannes wit kan gesse; 10 

For grace hathe wolde so ferfoorthe him avaunce. 

That of knighthoode he is parfyt rychchesse. 

Honnour honourethe him for his noblesse ; 

Therto so wel hathe fortuned him Nature^ 

That I am his for ever^ I him ensure^ 15 

For every wight preysethe his gentylesse. 

And nought-withstanding al his souffisaunce^ 

His gentyle hert is of so gret humblesse 

To me^ in worde^ in werk_, in countenaunce_, 

And me to serve is al his besynesse^ 20 

That I am sette in verray sikurnesse; 

Thus aught me wele to blesse myn aventure^ 

Sith that him list me serven and honneure^ 

For every wight preysethe his gentylesse. 

II. 

Nowe certes^ Love^ hit is right covenable 25 

That men ful soore abye thy noble things 



THE COMPLEYNT OF VENUS 561 

As waake abedde^ and fasting at the table^ 

Weping to laughe_, and sing in compleyning^ 

And doune to caste vysage and looking^ 

Offtymes to chaunge huwe and countenaunce^ 30 

Pleye in sleping^ and dremen at the daunce^ 

Al the revers of any glaade felyng. 

Thaughe j alousye wer hanged by a kable^ 

Sheo wolde al knowe^ thorughe hir espying; 

Ther doothe no wight no thing so raysonnable 35 

That al nys harme in hir ymagynyng ; 

Thus deere abought is love in gyving^ 

Whiche offt he gyvethe withoute ordeynaunce^ 

As sorowe enoughe_, and lytel of plesaunce^ 

Al the revers of every glaade feeling. 40 

A lytel tyme his gyiFt is agreable^ 

But ful encoumberous is the using; ' 

For soutyle j alousye the deceyvable 

Ful offten-tymes causethe destourbing^ 

Thus beon we ever in dreed souffering^ 45 

In nouneertaine we langwisshe in penaunce^ 

And have wel offt many an herd meschaunce^ 

Al the revers of every glaade feelyng. 



III. 

But certes^ Love^ I say not in suche wyse^ 

That for teschape oute of youre lace I ment^ 50 

For I so long have beon in youre servyce 

That for to leet of wol I never assente; 

No force^ thaughe Jalousye me more tourment, 

Souffisethe me to seon him whane I may_, 

And therfore^ certes^ unto myn eending day^ 55 

To love him best ne shal I never repent. 



562 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

And certes^ Love^ whanne I me weel avyse 

On any estate^ that man may represent^ 

Thane have yee maked me^ thorughe youre f raunchyse^ 

Cheese the best^ that ever on eorthe went. 60 

Nowe love weele^ hert^ and looke thou never stents 

And let the jalouse put it nowe in assaye. 

That for no peyne ne shal I never sey naye^ 

To love him best^ ne never to repent. 

Herte^ to the hit aught enough e souffyse^ 65 

That Love so hye a grace hathe to thee sent^ 

To cheese the worthyest of alle wyse^ 

And mooste agreable^ unto myn entent; 

Seeche nowe no firther^ neyther wey ner went^ 

Sythe I have soufFysaunce unto my paye^ 70 

Thus wol I eonde this compleynt or this laye. 

To love him best^ and never to repent. 

Lenvoye. 

Pryncesse^ resceyvethe this complaynt in gree, 

Unto youre excellent benignytee 

Dyrect^ afFter my lytel souffysaunce; 75 

For eelde^ that in my spiryt douUethe me^ 

Hathe of thendyting al the subtylytee 

Welnyeghe byraiFt out of my remembraunce ; 

And eeke to me it is right gret penaunce^ 

Sith ryme in Englisshe hathe suche skarsytee^ 80 

To folowen word by word the curyosytee 

Of Graunsome_, flour of hem that make in Fraunce. 

Hit is sayde that Graunsome made this Last balade for 
Venus resembled to my lady of york aunswering the com- 
playnt of Mars. 

65 Hert. 72 To And. 



THE COMPLAYNT OF CHAUCER TO 
HIS PURSE 

To yoWy my purse^ and to noon other wight 

Complayn I^ for ye be my lady dere. 

I am so sory now that ye been lyght_, 

For certes^ but yf ye make me hevy chere^ 

Me were as leef be layde upon my bere ; 5 

For whiche unto your mercy thus I crye, 

Beeth hevy ageyne^ or elles mote I dye. 

Now vouehethsauf this day or hyt be nyght^ 

That I of yow the blisful soune may here_, 

Or see your colour lyke the sonne bryght^ 10 

That of yelownesse hadde never pere. 

Ye be my lyfe^ ye be myn hertys stere^ 

Queue of comfort and of good companye; 

Beth hevy ayeyne or elles moote I dye. 

Now^ purse^ that ben to me my lyves lyght^ 15 

And saveour as doun in this worlde here_, 

Oute of this toune helpe me thurgh your myght^ 

Syn that ye wole nat bene my tresorere; 

For I am shave as nye as is a ffrere^ 

But yet I pray imto your curtesye^ 20 

Bethe hevy ayen^ or elles moote I dye. 

Lenvoy de Chaucer. 

O conquer our of Brutes Albyoun^ 

Whiche that by lygne and free eleccioun 

Been verray kynge^ this song to yow I sende ! 

And je, that mo wen alle myn harme amende^ 25 

Have mynde upon my supplicacioun ! 



PROVERBS 

What shal thees clothes many f old^ 
Loo^ this hoote somers day? 

Affter gret heet komethe cold^ 
No man cast his pilche away. 

Quod Chaucer, 

Of this worlde the wyde compas^ 
Hit wol not in myn armes tweyne ; 

Who so mychel wol embrace, 
Lytel ther-of he shal destreyne. 

Quod Chaucer. 



WOMMANLY NOBLESSE 

Balade that Chaucier made. 

So hath my herte caught in remembraunce 
Yowre beaute hoole^ and stedfast governaunce^ 

Yowre vertues al_, and yowre hie noblesse^ 
That yow to serve is set al my plesaunee. 
So wel me likith youre womanly contenaunce_, 5 

Youre fresshe fetures and youre comlinesse^ 

That while I live^ my hert to his maystresse 
Yow hath ful chose^ in triew perseveraunce^ 

Never to chaunge for no maner distresse. 

And sith I shal do this observaunce 10 

Al my lyve withouten displesaunce_, 

Yow for to serve with al my besynesse^ 

[Take my service in gre_, and nat grevaunce_5] 

And have me somwhat in your souvenaunce. 

My woful herte suffrith grete duresse; 15 

And [lo] how humb[le]ly^ with al symplesse^ 

My wil I conforme to your ordynaunce^ 

As you best list_, my peynes for to redresse. 

Considryng eek how I hange in balaunce 

In your servyce; swiche^ lo^ is my chaunce^ 20 

Abidyng grace_, whan that yowre gentilnesse 
Of my grete wo list doon allegeaunce^ 
And with your pite me som wyse avaunce_, 

In ful rebatyng of myn hevynesse; 

And thinkith be raison^ that wommanly noblesse 25 

Shuld nat desyre til do the outraunce 

Theras she fyndith non unbuxumnesse. 

14 Line lost ; the editor suggests the above. 



566 THE COLLEGE CHAUCER 

Lenvoye. 

Auctour of norture_, lady of plesaunce^ 

Soveraigne of beaute_, floure of wommanhede_, 

Take ye non hede unto myn ignoraunee^ SO 

But this receyvith of your goodlyhede^ 

Thynkyng that I have caught in remembraunce 

Yowre beaute hole^ your stidefast governaunce. 



NEWEFANGELNESSE 

Against Women Inconstant. 

(1) 

Madame^ for your newefangelnesse^ 

Manie a servaunt have ye put oute of grace. 

I take my leve of your unstedf astnesse ; 

For wel I wote^ while ye to lyve have space^ 

Ye kunnought love ful half yeer in a place^ 5 

To newe thinges your lust is ever kene. 

In sted of blue^ thus may ye were al grene. 

(2) 

Right as a mirrour^ that nothing may enpresse^ 

But lightly as it cometh^ so mot it pace_, 

So f areth your love ; your werkes bereth witnesse. 1 

Ther is no feith that may your hert enbrace; 

But as a wedercok^ that turneth his face 

With every wynd_, ye f are_, and that is sene ; 

In sted of bliwe^ thus may ye were al grene. 

(3) 

Ye might be shrined for your brotilnesse 15 

Bettir thanne Dalide^ Cresside^ or Candace, 

For evere in changeng stondeth your sikernesse; 

That tacche may no wight fro your hert arace; 

Yif ye lese oon^ ye kunne wel tweine purchace; 

All light for somer — ye wote wel what I mene — 20 

In sted of blewe^ thus may ye were al grene. 

2 of your. 6 so kene. 15 your om. 

Explicit. 



PREFACE TO THE TREATISE ON 
THE ASTROLABE 

Litell Lowys my sone_, I have perceived wele by 
certeyne evidences thine abilite to lerne sciencez 
touchinge noumbres and prbporciouns ; and as wel 
considere I thy bisi preyere in special to lerne the 
Tretis of the Astrelabie. Than_, for as mechel as a 5 

philosofre seith^ ''He wrappeth him in his frend^ 
that condescendeth to the rihtful preiers of his 
frend/' therfor have I geven the a suffisaunt Astra- 
labie as for owre orizonte^ compowned after the lati- 
tude of Oxenford; upon which^ by mediacion of 10 
this litel tretis^ I purpose to teche thee a certein of 
conclusions apertenyng to the same instrument. I 
seye a certein of conclusiouns for three causes. The 
furste cause is this: truste wel that alle the conclu- 
siouns that han ben fownde^ or elles possibli myhten 15 
be fownde in so noble an instrument as an Astra- 
labie^ ben unknowe perfitly to any mortal man in this 
regioun^ as I suppose. Another cause is this: that 
sothly in any tretis of the Astrelabie that I have 
seyn^ there ben some conclusions that wole nat in alle 20 
thinges perf ormen hir byhestes ; and some of hem 
ben to harde to thy tendre age of ten yer to conseyve. 

This tretis^ divided in fyve parties^ wole I shewe 
the under ful lighte rewles and naked wordes in 
Englissh^ for Latyn ne kanstow yit but smal^ my lite 25 

sone. But natheles^ suffise to thee thise trewe con- 
clusiouns in Englissh^ as wel as suffiseth to thise noble 
clerkes Grekes thise same conclusiouns in Grek^ and 
to Arabiens in Arabik^ and to Jewes in Ebrew^ and 
to the Latyn folk in Latyn; whiche Latyn folk han SO 

hem furst out of othre diverse langages^ and writen 



PREFACE TO ASTROLABE 569 

in hir owne tonge^ that is to sein^ in Latyn. And 
God wot^ that in alle thise langages^ and many mo^ 
han thise conclusiouns ben suffisantly lerned and 
tawht^ and yit by diverse rewles^ ryht as diverse S5 

pathes leden diverse folk the rihte wey to Roome. 
Now wol I prey mekly every discret persone that 
redith or herith this litel tretis^ to have my rewde 
endytyng for excused^ and my superfluite of wordes^ 
for two causes: the firste cause is^ for that curios 40 

enditing and hard sentence is ful hevy atones for 
swich a child to lerne. And the seconde cause is this ; 
that sothly me semeth betre to writen unto a child 
twies a good sentence^ than he forget it ones. And 
Lowis^ yif so be that I shewe thee in my lihte 45 

Englissh as trewe conclusiouns touching this matere^ 
and nawht only as trewe but as many and as subtil 
conclusiouns as ben shewed in Latyn in ani com- 
mune tretis of the Astrelabie^ kon me the more 
thank; and preye God save the kyng^ that is lord 50 

of this langage^ and alle that him feyth bereth and 
obeieth_, everech in his degree^ the more arid the lasse. 
But considere wel_, that I ne usurpe nat to have 
fownde this werk of my labour or of myn engin; I 
nam but a lewd compilatour of the labour of olde 55 

Astrolog[i]ens^ and have hit translated in myn 
Englissh only for thi doctrine; and with this swerd 
shal I slen envie. 



APPENDIX 



APPENDIX 

I. Pronunciation. §1-4. 

II. Language. §5-33. 

III. Notes on Special Usages. §34-39. 

IV. Meter. §40-42. 
V. Life. §43-50. 

VI. Dates of Chaucer's Works. §51-52. 
VII. Chaucer's Reading. §53-58. 
VIII. The Human Comedy of the "Canterbury Tales." §59. 

I. Pronunciation. 

§1. Pronunciation of the Middle English of Chaucer. 

The beginner will find the vowels his chief difficulty in 
Chaucerian pronunciation. The consonants are pronounced 
nearly as by a Scotchman today; that is to say, the r is trilled, 
and gh has the sound of the Scottish ch in loch. Words 
derived from the French retained more of the French dis- 
tinctness of utterance; -cion, -tion, -sion, -ssion kept the 
distinct ci-on, ti-on, ssi-on, with no sh sound. French -ge, 
as in age, retained the soft zh sound. Kn as in German 
Knabe, kept the original sound; and ng retained the full 
sound of the g as in anger, not as in singer. Th in certain 
proper names probably was tt, as in Thopas, Atthenes; 
elsewhere as in modern English. Other consonants were 
sounded nearly as they are today. 

§2. The vowels present more difficulty. In general, one 
should keep in mind the values of vowels in Continental lan- 
guages, rather than in modern English. The three most 
difficult rules to remember are (1) a always as in German 
Mann or Vater; (2) e in long syllables always as e or e in 
French, not as in mere, weed; (3) doubling of vowels does 
not change the sound except to lengthen it; thus boote is 
like modern boat, not modern boot; heede is like modern 
hayed, not like our heed. The other rules are simple, and 
easily kept in mind; most errors are due to forgetfulness of 
the rules just given. 



574 



APPENDIX 



§3. Table of vowel-sounds. 

Short. 

a as in Ger. Mann, 
e as in then. 



1, y as in mn. 



o as in Ger. Gott. 



u as in full, rarely as in cup. 
Written often o in words 
which today have a u 
sound: moche (much), 
Sonne (sun), ronne (run), 
companye; also in dore, 
spore, woUe. 



ay, ey as ai in straits. 

ou, owas in French doux, English you. 



Long. 

aa, a as in father. 

e open as in where, or 

e closed as in way. Chaucer 
rarely rimed open and close 
long e (ex. lere, here); but 
the rime does occur. Most 
Americans can make little 
distinction in the sounds. 

i, y as in gasoline. Found in 
words which today have 
the diphthongal i sound: 
life, hide, child, plight 
(ME plit). But note that 
ME words in -ght have the 
short i: lyght, myghte. 

6 open as in more, and 

6 close as in boat. The dis- 
tinction is of little value to 
the beginner. Chaucer 
evidently felt free to break 
the rule against riming o 
open and close.* 

u as in compute, suit. 



* By the use of the etymologies given in the Glossary, the student can 
readily distinguish between open and close 6, open and close e, if he 
observes the rules here given: (1) ME open e is found in words which 
in AS had se, e, ea; (2) ME close e is found in words which in AS had 
e, e before -Id, eo, and also in ME final e; (3) ME open 6 is found in 
words which in AS had a, a (from se, ea), o in open syllables, and before 
-Id; (4) ME close 6 is found in words which in AS had 6 (also in 
ON 6). 



APPENDIX 575 

Diphthongs. 

au as ou in house, or as au in German aus. 

ew, e plus oo,* fewe, newe, trewe (not as in modern 
pronunciation). 

oi as in modern speech, joye. 

§4. Doubling of vowels, as has been said, indicates a long 
vowel only, not a different sound from the single vowel, as 
in our writing. Doubled consonants were, as in modern 
German, given full value; son-ne, ron-ne. 

• 

II. Language. 

§5. Chaucer's Language.- Chaucer's language was that of 
the London of his day, which grammarians now call the 
Southeast Midland dialect of Middle English. Soon after 
his time this dialect became the standard English speech, 
especially after the establishment of Caxton's press at West- 
minster (1477); so that our own literary language descends 
directly from Chaucer's dialect. 

§6. Before the stage known as Middle English, in the cen- 
turies previous to 1150, lies the stage which we call Anglo- 
Saxon, or Old English, the chief monument of which is the 
epic poem Beowulf. Anglo-Saxon may be distinguished from 
Middle English by its more elaborate system of inflections 
in nouns and verbs, and its freedom from the influence of 
French. Apart from some words of Danish or Norse 
(Scandinavian) origin, and a very few from Latin, Old Eng- 
lish was a "self-supporting" tongue. 

§7. Middle English, on the other hand, received many 
words from French, either through the dialect of the Nor- 
mans in England (Anglo-French, "AF"), or later through the 
Old French of the Continent ("OF"). The inflections which 
in Anglo-Saxon are only slightly less numerous than in 
classical Latin, were mostly lost, or reduced to a common 
stage, that known as final -e. 

§8. Final -e. This suflix, the distinguishing feature of 
Middle English, has been long lost as a - syllable, though 
retained in the spelling of many words. In Chaucer's day 
it was already beginning to disappear in pronunciation; but 



* Almost as in our mimicking of a dandy's vewy for very. 



576 APPENDIX 

the memory of it was still sufficiently fresh in England to 
permit its use in the counted syllables, chiefly unaccented, 
of poetry. The similar use of -e in contemporary French 
poetry, which had a great influence on English literature, no 
doubt assisted its preservation. On the other hand, some 
poets of Chaucer's day did not employ the final -e as a pro- 
nounced syllable. William Parys, the squire of Thomas 
Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick — whose son. Lord William 
Beau champ, was a friend of Chaucer's — wrote a poem, St. 
Cristine, in 1397, in which the -e is practically non-existent.* 
It is certain, also, that Chaucer felt free, in some cir- 
cumstances, to neglect or slur this syllable — that is to say, 
to count ten syllables in a line of decasyllabic verse, regard- 
less of some of the syllables ending in -e, -es, -ed, and even 
-eth. 

§9. The manuscripts of Chaucer's poems, which now exist, 
were written after Chaucer's death. In the case of the shorter 
poems, the manuscripts are perhaps fifty years later. They 
exhibit, to various degrees, many final -e's which were never 
sounded in speech, since they did not represent any syllabic 
ending in Anglo-Saxon or Old French. As we do not pos- 
sess any manuscripts in Chaucer's handwriting, we do not 
know whether he was in the habit of writing these or not; 
in other words, whether the manuscripts of Chaucer in any 
way represent his own spelling. Believing that any recon- 
struction of Chaucer's spelling, from the extant manuscripts, 
is impossible at present, the editor prefers to exhibit the 
actual spelling of a trustworthy manuscript of each work.f 
If the student learns carefully the following rules for the 



* The -e's in black type in the stanza below would have been normally 
sounded in Chaucer. This copy of Parys is from MS. Arundel 168, folio 
4b, Brit. Mus. 

Seint Cristyne, helpe thorough thi prayer 

That we may fare the better for the, 
That hath ben longe in prisoun here, 

The He of Man, that stronge cuntre ; 

Sir Thomas Beawchamp, an erle was he, 
In Warwikshire was his power, 

Now is he of so povre degre, 
He hath no man, save on squier. 

t The marks of abbreviation above final r, p, and n (where -e is possibly 
meant) have not been expanded. Otherwise the MS. text spellings are 
used. 



APPENDIX 577 

sounding of final -e, the spelling of the manuscripts will give 
him no trouble; and he will understand better the history of 
Chaucer criticism and of our own texts than from a so-called 
"normalized" text. 

§10. Final -e generally appears in the Middle English 
poetry of Chaucer with syllabic value in the following forms: 

(a) In certain nouns of Anglo-Saxon or other Germanic 
origin.* Ex. bere, bowe, drope, erthe, herte, eye, leche, sone, 
answere, bote, comynge, mayde, cloude, tere, drede. 

(b) In nouns of Romance (Old French) origin which 
originally ended in -e mute. Ex. age, chere, cure, distresse, 
gyse, lettre, madame, route, signe, substaunce, violence, 
vileynye. 

(c) In some Romance nouns which did not originally end 
in -e. Ex. travayle, mene. 

(d) In certain nouns preceded by prepositions, represent- 
ing an old (petrified) dative in -e. Ex. on honde, in toune. 

(e) In certain adjectives of Germanic origin. Ex. grene, 
mylde, thikke. 

(f) In Romance adjectives, ending in -e mute. Ex. digne, 
huge, humble. 

(g) In some Romance adjectives which did not end in -e 
mute. Ex. clere, comune, secounde. 

(h) In adjectives preceded by a possessive or demonstra- 
tive pronoun, or by the definite article; i.e., in the ''definite'' 
or ''weak" form of adjectives. Ex. the beste rym, my dere 
foo, this swete preest. 

(i) In adjectives in the vocative, preceding their noun. 
Ex. O longe day! Now, faire lady! Leve brother! Seynte 
Marie !t 

(j) In the plural of monosyllabic adjectives, and occa- 
sionally of polysyllabic adjectives where the meter may 
require it. Ex. gode men, longe nyghtes, the frendlyeste 
men. 

(k) In adverbs of Anglo-Saxon origin, ending in -e. Ex. 
clene, depe, lowde, sodeynliche. But ryght and lyk. 

(1) In certain particles of adverbial or prepositional use. 
Ex. aboute, bothe, bysyde, sone. 



* See §15 below for details. The etymologies in the Glossary are in- 
tended to guide the student in olDserving these nouns, and similar sources 
of -e. 

t On seynte, see the Glossary. . ; 



578 APPENDIX 

(m) In verbs, in 

(1) The first person singular, present indicative: I wake. 

(2) The plural present indicative: We wake (waketh, 
waken). 

(3) The singular and plural present subjunctive: If he 
wake. 

(4) The imperative second person singular and plural of 
most weak verbs: Leve wel. 

(5) The infinitive: To telle (tellen). 

(6) The verbal noun: Comynge. 

(7) The perfect participle of strong verbs: She was 
i-founde. 

(8) The preterite indicative, first and third persons sin- 
gular, of weak verbs (ending in -ed, -t, in modern 
English) : I wenede, wende. 

(9) Preterite indicative, second person singular of 
strong verbs: thou founde, thou woke. 

(10) Preterite plural of all verbs: they wente, we songe. 

(11) Preterite subjunctive, all verbs: er that he sawe. 

§11. Final en appears in 

(a) The plural of certain nouns: sustren, shoon. 

(b) Certain particles: aboven, withouten. 

(c) The infinitive: to singen. 

(d) The plural forms of verbs: they wenten, we that 
singen. 

(e) The past participle of strong verbs. 

(f) Reflexive pronouns: myselven. 

§12. Final es appears in 

(a) The possessive singular of nOuns: wommannes 
counseil. 

(b) The plural of nouns: dogges, hogges. 

(c) Some adverb forms: ones, twyes. 

The above list is intended for ready reference only. 
Chaucer's system of inflections, with their chief Anglo-Saxon 
equivalents, are given in fuller detail in the sections that 
follow. 

§13. The Noun. In Anglo-Saxon nouns are divided into 
two classes, according as the stem originally ended in a 
vowel or in a consonant. Vowel-stems make up the strong, 
stems in -n the weak declension. Other consonantal stems 
are grouped by themselves. Owing to the loss in primitive 
or prehistoric Anglo-Saxon of final short vowels and of final 



I 



APPENDIX 



579 



consonants of stems, it is not possible in Anglo-Saxon to 
distinguish all these classes at first glance. Comparative 
study of other Germanic tongues, such as Gothic and Old 
Norse, has therefore been employed. Various case-endings 
had also been lost before the historic period of Anglo-Saxon, 
so that the English language, at its earliest known stage, 
was already a language of partly leveled inflections. The 
Middle English of Chaucer, and our own modern English, 
represent further steps along this same course of develop- 
ment. 

§14. It is not proposed here to give an outline of all Anglo- 
Saxon inflections, but only of such as are perhaps sufficient 
to illustrate the development of Chaucerian English. A few 
only of the several types of noun-inflection are given. 



Sing. Nom. 

Gen. 

Dat. 

Ace. 
PI. Nom. Ace. 

Gen. 

Dat. 



Sing. 



PL 



Nom. 

Gen. 

Dat. 

Ace. 

Nom. Ace. 

Gen. 

Dat. 



; Sing. 



i PI. 



Nom. 
Gen. 
Dat. 
Ace. 

Nom. Ace. 

Gen. 

Dat. 



masc. 

Stan 

stanes 

stane 

Stan 

stanas 

stana 

stanum 



a-stems. 
M. Eng. 
(stoon) 
(stoones) 



(stoones) 



neut. 

word 

wordes 

worde 

word 

.word 

worda 

wordum 



M. Eng. 

(word) 

(wordes) 



(wordes) 



fern. 
giefu, -c 
giefe 
giefe 
giefe 
giefe, -a 
giefa, (-ena) 
giefum 



o-stems. 

M. Eng. 

-o (gyft) 

(gyftes) 



fem. 



cwen 

cwene 

cwene 



i-stems. 

M. Eng. 
(quene) 
(quenes) 



.(gyftes) 



cwene 
cwena 
cwenum 



(quenes) 



n-declension 

M. Eng. 
(tunge) 
(tunges) 



fem. 

tunge 

tungan 

tungan 

tungan 



tungan 

tungena 

tungum 



(tunges) 



580 APPENDIX 

§15. The nominative case in nouns in Chaucer ends in -e, 
of such nouns as in Anglo-Saxon were 

(a) Of the n- declension, masculine, feminine, and neuter. 
Ex. drope (AS m. dropa), harpe (AS f. hearpe), ere (AS 
n. eare). 

(b) Masculine and neuter nouns of the vowel-stem declen- 
sions, which ended in AS in a final vowel. Ex. ende (AS 
m. ende), spere (AS n. spere). 

(c) Feminine nouns of the vowel-stem declensions that 
ended in -u in the nominative, in Anglo-Saxon. Ex. care 
(AS f. caru), dore (AS f. duru), lawe (AS f. lagu). 

(d) Monosyllabic feminine nouns with a long stem- 
syllable. The -e here in oblique cases influenced the nomi- 
native. Ex. bote (AS f. b5t), cheste (AS f. cest), halle (AS 
f. heall). 

Certain very common words are exceptions to this. Ex. 
ok, plyt, sped, thryft, wight, won, world, bench, bok, bond, 
might, nyght. 

(e) Nouns of the gerund form, in -ing, -inge, -yng, -ynge. 
Not the present participle. 

(f) Nouns, ending in -en in Anglo-Saxon, apocopate to -e. 
Ex. eve (AS n. sefen), game AS n. gamen), mayde (AS n. 
maegden). 

(g) Some masculine and neuter nouns end in -e, which in 
AS ended in a consonant in the nominative. Ex. botme 
(AS botm), cloude (AS clud), dethe (AS dea)?), welkne 
(woken). 

(h) The "petrified" dative. Some familiar phrases, con- 
taining in AS a preposition with the dative case, remain in 
Chaucer. Ex. to borwe, on horse, to bedde. 

(i) Some nouns of uncertain derivation end in -e. Ex. 
drede (AS verb draedan), hye (AS verb higian). 

§16. Nouns which in Old French end in -e, retain the -e 
in Chaucer. Ex. fortune, aventure. 

§17. Genitive. The genitive singular of nouns ends in -es 
in Chaucer. Certain nouns are exceptions to this rule, being 
usually old genitival forms. Ex. his lady grace, his herte 
blood, his fader wil. 

Proper nouns in -s often have a genitive identical with the 
nominative. Ex. That was the kyng Priamus sone of Troye. 

§18. Plurals. The plural of nouns ends regularly in -es, 
or (if the nominative ends in -e) in -s. 



N 



APPENDIX 581 

Words in -aunt, -ent, -ioun, -ion, -r, -en, -on, -an, usually 
take -s, -z. Ex. servauntz, payementz, prisouns. 
Certain other exceptions to the -s plural should be noted. 

(a) asshen, ben, eyen, foon, shoon. 

(b) brethren, doughtren, sustren, children, hosen. 

(c) feet, men, wommen. 

(d) (Plural identical with singular) wyntir, yer, nyght, 
folk, thyng. 

§19. Genitive Plural. Except in a few cases, as in nonne 
preest, the genitive plural is identical with the nominative. 

The old dative plural exists only in particles such as 
whilom, a thousand si the (AS sithum), fote (AS fotum). 

§20. Adjectives. 

(a) Anglo-Saxon adjectives, ending in -e or -a in the 
strong form, end in -e in Chaucer. Ex. blithe (AS bli)?e), 
clene (AS claene), grene (AS grene); lyte, muche, from AS 
lyt, lytel, micel, mycel, retain the -e. 

(b) Some adjectives, probably in the petrified vocative, 
or in a weak use as a well-known epithet, take -e in Chaucer. 
Ex. hye God, goode fayre Whyt, longe while (perhaps from 
AS ace. of time). 

(c) Some adjectives of Germanic origin other than Anglo- 
Saxon, take -e. Ex. badde, lowe, meke, shene, wykke. 

(d) Romance adjectives preserve their -e in Chaucer. 
Ex. huge, nice, straunge. 

(e) Some Romance adjectives get -e in Chaucer, perhaps 
from the influence of the feminine ending. Ex. comune. 

Some Romance adjectives preserve their French endings: 
o bele nece, egles tercels. 

(f) All w^eak or definite adjectives end in -e. Exceptions 
occur, his good wil, the first day of the yere. 

(g) Vocative adjectives before the noun are in the weak 
form, with -e. O harde grace. 

(h) Dissyllabic and trisyllabic adjectives, accented on the 
penult, keep or drop -e in the weak form, to suit the metrical 
needs, according to the position of the accent of the following 
word. Ex. this woful day, the grettest joy, his excellent 
nature, the wofuUeste wight. 

(i) Monosyllabic plural adjectives end in -e. Ex. dede 
men. 

In the predicate position this -e is sometimes lost. Ex. 
Ye be so wys. 



582 



APPENDIX 



(j) Plural polysyllabic adjectives do not take -e, except 
rarely for metrical needs. 

(k) Adjectives end as now in -er, -est in the comparative 
and superlative. 

§21. Pronouns. 



Nominative. 

I, y, ich, ik 

thou, thow 

he 

she, sche, scho 

it, hit 

we 

ye 

they, thei 



Possessive 

my, myn 

thy, thyn - 

his, hise 

hire, hir (mon. syll.) 

his 

our, cure 

your, youre 

hire, here 

ther, their 



Accusative. 

me 

the, thee 

hym, him 

hire, here (mon. syll.) 

it, hit 

us 

yow, you 

hem, them 



Absolute or Attributive. 
myn 

thyn (thow is often attached to verbs, as sekestow?) 
his 

hires (usually monosyllabic) 
hire 

oures, oure 
youres, youre 
hires, theires 

§22. Relative pronouns appear as in modern English. 

(a) Which often appears with conjunctive that; which 
that, the which that. Swych appears along with such; pi. 
aldre, in compounds like alderbest, alderlest, aldermost, alder- 
bothe, men (me), noon, nought, etc. 

(b) Al. Alle in the singular is often found, alongside al; 
plural regularly alle. Genitive plural (AS ealra), alder, 
aldre, in compounds like alderbest, alderlest, aldermost, alder- 
levest. 

(c) Reflexive forms in -en occur regularly, as myselven, 
hemselven, etc. 

(d) Demonstratives, 
that, pi. tho. 

thilke, pi. thilke (that ilke). 

this, pi. this, thise, these (monosyllabic). 

this ilke. 

that oon, that other, by corruption the toon, the -tother. 



APPENDIX 



583 



(e) Interrogatives. Who, whos, whom, ho, hos, horn, 
what, which (often used for our what). What often equals 
why. What shulde he fasten? 

§23. Adverbs. 

(a) The Anglo-Saxon ending of adverbs in -e is preserved. 
Ex. bryghte, softe. 

Ryght and lyk, really conjunctives, are exceptions. 

(b) Adverbs end also in -ly, -lich, -liche (the latter end- 
ings rare before consonants), Ex. Softeliche he cam. They 
ronnen hastifliche. 

(c) Adverbs are compared as in modern English. Observe 
the forms bet, wors, mo, ner, more, lasse, derre, ferther, 
ferre, gladlyer, best, mest. 

(d) Some adverbial particles end in -es in Chaucer, either 
from the AS ending, or by analogy. Ex. algates (ONorse 
alle gotu), amonges (AS onmang), ageynes (AS ongaegnes), 
elles, ellis (AS elles), hennes (AS heonan, hionan). So 
ones, thennes, thries, togederes, towardes, twyes, unnethes, 
whennes. 

§24. The Verb. In Chaucer, as in Anglo-Saxon, the verbs 
are divided into the strong and weak conjugations. The 
strong verbs form the preterite and other past forms by 
means of ablaut, or vowel-gradation of the verb stem-vowel; 
the weak verbs for the past add -de, -te, for the past participle 
-ed. 

§25. Strong Verbs. Including the verbs which at an earlier 
stage of the language employed reduplication, the strong 
verbs appear in seven classes; that is, the vowel-gradations in 
the stems appear in seven combinations. 



Strong Verbs, vowel-gradation in Anglo-Saxon. 





Stem I. 


Stem II. 


Stem III. 


Stem IV. 




All forms of 
present. 


1 and 3 pret. 
sing. 


2 pret. sing., 
pret. pi. and 
subj. 


Past part. 


1. 

2. 
3. 


1 bidan (bide) 
eo beodan 
i, e bindan 


a bad 
eabead 
a band 


i bidon 
u budon 
u bundon 


i biden 
boden 
u, bunden 


4. 


e, beran 


aebaer 


aebaeron 


o boren 


5. 
6. 


e metan 
a f aran 


ae maet 
5 for 


ae maeton 
o foron 


e meten 

a faren, faeren 



Class seven will be considered separately. 



584 



APPENDIX 



§26. Mood and tense-endings being alike for all strong 
verbs, a single paradigm of Anglo-Saxon risan is given v^ith 
the Middle English corresponding form in parenthesis. 



Present Indicative. 

Sing. 1 rise (rise) 

2 [risest] rist (rist, risest) 

3 [risej?] rist (rist, riseth) 

1 ] 

2 I risath 

o I (riseth, risen, rise, rises) 



Plur. 



Subjunctive. 
rise (rise) 
rise (rise) 
rise (rise) 

risen (risen, -e) 







Imperative 


Infinitive. 


Participle. 


Sing. 


1 
2 
3 
1 

2 
3 


ris (rise) 


risan (risen) 


risende (risyng, 
risynge) 


Plur. 


risa)? 
(riseth, rise) 






Preter 


ite 


Indicative. 


Subjunctive. 


Past Participle. 


Sing. 
Plur. 


1 
2 
3 
1 


ras (roos) 
rise (rise) 
ras (roos) 


rise (rise) 


risen (risen) 




2 
3 


Vrison (risen) 


risen (risen) 




§27. 


Notes on the forms 


in Chaucer. 




(a) 


Present. The first 


person singular 


regularly ends in 



-e, but sometimes this -e is not sounded in the commonest 
verbs. 

The second person singular, by syncopation, often con- 
tracts to -St. Thow farst, thow wenst. 

The third person singular regularly ended in -eth, as in the 
paradigm-. Frequently this appears as -th only, as in comth, 
goth, etc. Even where the full -eth is written, it is some- 
times not sounded as a syllable. Verbs with stems ending 
in -t, -d, -s, as riden, writen, sometimes contract to -t. So 
rit, stant, writ. 

The modern form (a northern dialect form in Chaucer's 
day) sometimes appears; he dwelles. 

The plural ending is regularly -en; sometimes occur the 
variants -eth, -es. 



APPENDIX 585 

(b) Preterite. Noteworthy is the second person singular 
form in -e; rise. The modern form in -est belongs generally 
in weak verbs after -ed. 

§28. List of Strong Verbs. 

Class I. 
AS i a i i 

Chaucer i o i i 

shinen shoon shinen shinen 

Verbs: shyne, dryve, ryve, shryve, thryve, byte, slyte, 
smyte, wryte, byde, glyde, ryde, slyde, bistryde, wrythe, 
agryse, ryse, wrye, stryve (added from Old French). 

Class II. 

AS eo ea u o 

Chaucer e, u e o o 

Verbs: creepe, cleeve, brewe, fleete, sheete, beede, seethe, 
cheese, leese (with wk. pret. loste also), flye, lye, flee (also 
with weak pret. fledde), brouke, louke. 

Class III. 
AS i, e a u ' u, o 

Chaucer i, e o, a ou, o ou, o 
Verbs: swelle, helpe, yelpe, delve, yeelde, worthe, kerve, 
sterve, breste, thresshe, fighte, swimme, clymbe, biginne, 
blinne (brenne), (renne), spinne, winne, bynde, fynde, 
grynde, wynde, ringe, singe, springe, stinge, thringe, wringe, 
drinke, sinke, stinke, swinke. 

Brenne, renne are forms from Old Norse. Brenne is in- 
flected in the weak conjugation. 

Class IV. 
AS e ae ae o 

Chaucer e a e, e o 

Verbs: stele, bere, shere, tere, come, nime, trede, breke, 
speke, wreke. Come, nome form sing. pret. in o; com, nom. 

Class V. 
AS e ae ae e 

Chaucer e, i a, e e e, i 

Verbs: yive, weve, ete, mete, gete, quethe, see, sitte, bidde, 
lye (lie down), weve, pp. woven; ete, pt. eet; (quethe), pt. 
quoth, quod; see, pt. saugh; sy, pp. seyen, sene, yseene. 



586 



APPENDIX 



Class VI. 
AS a 5 5 a 

Chaucer a, a, e o o a, a, e, o 

Verbs: fare (pt. ferde < AS feran), swere (pp. sworen), 
shape, stape, grave, shave, heve (pt. ha£), drawe, gnawe, 
stonde (stande), (pp. stonden), bake, forsake, shake, take 
(from Old Norse), wake, laughe, slee (pt. slough, slow; pp. 
slawen, slayn), waxe, wexe (pt. weex, wex, wax; pp. woxen), 
wasshe (pt. wessh). 

Class VII. 
Verbs which in early Germanic languages, e.g., Gothic, 
reduplicated the stem in the preterite, are called redupli- 
cating verbs. Ex. Gothic haihald (held). 

AS a (or other vowel) e, eo a, etc. 

Chaucer a, etc. e, a, etc. (same vowel as in 

falle fell fallen present stem). 

walke welk walken 

Verbs: falle, holde, wolde, walke (also with wk. pret. 
walkede), fonge, honge, hote, blowe, knowe, crowe, sowe, 
throwe, sleepe (also wk. pret. slepte), wepe (wk. pret. also 
wepte), lete (pp. often laten), drede, rede, lepe (also wk. pret. 
lepte), hewe, bete, growe. 

§29. Weak Verbs. Three classes of weak verbs existed in 
Anglo-Saxon. Note that in these the preterite plural is from 
the same stem as the singular. 

Class I. 



AS 


Chaucer 


AS 


Chaucer 


herian 


herien 


pret. herede 


herede 


deman 


demen 


demde 


demde 


bycgan. 


byen 


bohte 


bouhte 



AS 



Chaucer 



pp. gehered yhered hered 
gedemed ydemed demed 
geboht ybouht bouht 

In herian the ending is -ian. In many Chaucerian verbs the 
-i disappears. Ex. derian, Ch. dere. 
In deman, the -ede of the preterite appears as -de. 



APPENDIX 



587 



In bycgan, the stem-vowel changes. Ex. selle, solde; telle, 
tolde; wirchen, worhte. Changes also occur in recche, 
strecche, teche, byen, thenken, bringe, wirchen, seche, seke. 





Class 11. 




AS 


lufian lufode 


gelufod 


Chaucer 


love lovede 

Class III. 


loved 


AS 


libban lifde 


gelifd 


Chaucer 


live livede 


ylived, lived 



§30. Inflections of weak verb. 



Pres. Sing. 1 
2 
3 
Plur. 



AS Ch. 

deme deme 

demest demest, demst 

deme)? demeth 

dema)? demeth, demen 



Subj. sing, deme; pi. demen. 

Imper. deme (AS and Ch.); ph demaK Ch. deme>. 

Infinitive deman, Ch. demen. 

Participle demende, Ch. demyng. 

AS Ch. 

Pret. Sing. 1 demde demde, demede 

2 demdest demdest 

3 demde demde 

Plur. demdon demden, demeden 

Subj. sing, demde, pi. demden. 

(AS and Ch.) 
Past participle gedemed, Ch. ydemed, demed. 

In Chaucer, usually, the syncopated forms in -de are pre- 
ferred to the full forms in -ede. Ex. felte for felede. Verbs 
in -ede, as demede, semede, are the exception rather than 
the rule in the weak preterites. 

§31. Preterite-present class. A few verbs in Anglo-Saxon, 
originally perfects, came to acquire a present meaning. In 
some cases it is easy to see how this happened, since wat^ 
I know, implies I have seen, or have learned. In the present 
these verbs belong to the strong conjugation, except for the 



588 



APPENDIX 



second person singular, which belongs to the singular stem, 
and adds -t. These verbs added a new weak preterite, an 
infinitive, present participle, and in a few verbs a strong past 
participle. 

I Class of strong verbs. AS wat, Chaucer wot. 

III Class, AS can, J?ear£, dear, Chaucer can, dar, thar. 

IV Class, AS sceal, Chaucer shal. 

V Class, AS maeg, Chaucer may. 

VI Class, AS mot, Chaucer mot. 

VII Class, AS ag, ah, Chaucer owe. 

§32. The inflections of these verbs in Chaucer follows. 



Inf. 




Present 








sing. 1, 3 


sing. 2 


pl. 


subj. 


witen 


wot, woot 


west 


wite, wote 




konne 


kan 


kanst 


konne 


konne 
kan 


(durre) 


dar 

thar (impers. 

w. ace.) 
hym thar 


darst 


dar 


dare 




shal 


Shalt 


shal, shul 


shul 


mowen 


may 


mayst 


may, mowe 


may, n 




mot, moot 


most 


mote, moten 


mote 


owen 


him oweth 


Preterite 


owen 




sing. 1, 


3 sing. 2 


pl. 


subj. 


PF 


wiste 


wistest 


wiste 


wiste 


wist 


koude. 


kowde koudest 


koude 


koude 


kouth 


kouthe 






koude 




dorste 


dorstest 


dorste 






thurfte 










sholde. 


shulde sholdest 


sholde (n) 




myghte 


myghtest 


myghten myghte 




moste, 1 


must(e) 


mosten 


most, moste 


oghte, < 


DUghte oughtestow oughten 




owed 


(usually 


' impers. with 








all numbers and 








persons) 











APPENDIX 




§33. Special Verbs. Be, wil 


don, gon. 


and have. 


Pres. Sing. 1 


am 


wil, wyl 




2 


art, artow 


wilt, wylt 




3 


is 


wil 




PL 


be, ben 


wol, wole 




Subj. Pres. 


be, pi. be, ben 


wol 
wole 




Pret. Sing. 1 


was 


wolde 




2 


were 


woldest 




3 


was 


wolde 




PI. 


were 


wolde, wolden 


Pret. Subj. 


were 


wolde 








wolde, wolden 


Imperative 


be 
beth 






Pres. part. 


beyng 






Past. part. 


ben 






Infinitive 


be, ben 






Pres. Sing. 1 


do 


go 


have 


2 


dost 


goost 


hast 


3 


doth 


goth 


hath 


PI. 


don 


gon 


han 


Subj. Pres. 


do 


go 


have 




do, don 


go, gon 




Pret. Sing. 1 


dide, dyde dede 




hadde 


2 


didest, dedest 




haddest 


3 


dide, etc. 




hadde 


PI. 


diden 




hadde 


Pret. Subj. 


dide, dede 
dede, deden 




hadden 


Imperative 


do 




have 




doth 




haveth, hath 


Pres. part. 


doyng 


goyng 


havyng 


Past. part. 


idon, ydon, don 


go, goon 


ihad, had 


Infinitive 


do, don 


gon 


have, ha 



589 



III. Notes on Special Usages. 

§34. Nouns. Certain expressions, which we should call 
adverbial, preserve old uses of the oblique cases. The geni- 
tive is found in his thonkes (thanks to his own efforts), the 
old dative form in time constructions, his lyve (during all his 



590 APPENDIX 

life), and the accusative of time is more common than now; 
this yere, this pestilence. 

§35. Adjectives. The substantival use is common; this 
goodly fre (lady understood); chaunge for no newe; the 
grete (greater part). For the usage of such forms as oon, 
oonly, see the Glossary. 

§36. Prepositions. Many verbs in Chaucer take preposi- 
tions in uses which are now obsolete. Cf. on reste, on eve, 
of a purpos. Some prepositions, which now appear at the 
clause-end, follow the verb; to hele with your hurtes. Others 
sometimes follow their object; wente hir fro. The construc- 
tions to wedde (for a pledge), to wyve, etc., represent an old 
dative construction. The preposition with is almost impre- 
catory; with sory grace! C'bad luck to him"). 

§37. Adverbs. An important difference between Chaucer's 
use of adverbs and ours lies in the repetition of a negative 
idea for emphasis where to us it appears redundant or, 
according to some, contradictory. 

He never yet no vileynye ne sayde 
In al his lyf, unto no maner wyght. 
She nas hir doghter nat. 

Conjunctions. The conjunction as appears in poetry in 
innumerable cases where it is untranslatable, with a vague 
enclitic and expletive force, slightly restrictive usually, mean- 
ing ''considering," ''that is to say." 

And borne hym wel, as of so lytel space 
In hope to stonden in his lady grace. 

§38. Pronouns. A verb may agree with the pronoun in 
apposition; hit am I. 

The greater use of the impersonal verbs causes greater use 
of the dative (objective) forms of the pronouns. Wel was 
him, us lyketh, hem thynketh wel. What nedeth yow? 
Similar constructions employed the reflexive forms fre- 
quently. Thou is used in familiar, hostile, or in prayerful 
discourse; ye is used for the singular second person in forms 
of courtesy. Where no especial person is addressed the 
singular may be found; Ther maystow seen devysyng of 
herneys. The distinction is clear, if we compare the respect- 
ful address of the captured Cok to the Fox, CT. B 4595 (ye) 
with his scornful words upon escape immediately thereafter 



APPENDIX 591 

(thou, thow, thy). He sometimes appears as Lat. ille; he 
Jakke Straw ("The famous JS.")- 

§39. Verbs. The subjunctive was very common in Chau- 
cer's day, and was used not merely for conditional clauses, 
but almost all other subordinate relations, as time, concession, 
desire, and command. I deme anon this clerk his servaunt 
have. 

Intransitive verbs frequently used a perfect form with the 
verb be instead of the simple past, or the perfect with have. 
This Piramus is come. This usage is most common with 
verbs of motion. Compare the modern "Is he gone?" 

The perfect participle in the predicate after do, make, is 
seen in such constructions as Thise merchauntz han doon 
fraught hir shippis. Compare also He leet do make a temple. 

IV. Meter. 

§40. Chaucer employed, except in a few specimens, the 
eight-syllable or ten-syllable iambic line. The former he 
employed almost exclusively in the short couplet, the latter 
in the heroic couplet or in ballade. Ballade, sometimes called 
also ballade royal or rime royal, is so^ named from its use in 
the French halades. These had stanzas of seven or eight 
lines. The rime-scheme of the former was ababbcc, of the 
latter ababbcbc. The typical ballade had three stanzas with 
common rimes and refrain and an envoy of five or six lines. 

§41. Description of the other types of verse, since the 
specimens are so few, is not needed here. The reader will 
not fail to observe the tail-rime stanzas of Sir Thopas, and 
the fantastic strophes of the Anelida, as well as the ter^a rima 
of the Compleint, and the roundels of Merciles Beaute. 

§42. The attempt has been made to consider Chaucer's 
line apart from the use of other poets, and to enter into much 
detail on the peculiar usages of his verse. When all has been 
said, however, it remains true that but a single form of his 
usage is rare among English poets. This is the nine-syllable 
line; Gynglyng in a whistlyng wynde as clere. Where, else- 
where, there appear a wrong number of syllables in the line, 
the reader will find that by applying the practices of other 
poets, or in the elision, apocope, or syncope of final weak -e, 
the apparent difficulty will disappear. Particularly at the 
caesura this treatment of -e will dispose of most of the cases* 



592 APPENDIX 

known as the extra-syllable. Final -e at the end of the line, 
of course, counts as in Dante's verse as a feminine ending. 

V. Chaucer's Life. 

§43. Chaucer's life was spent in service at court. Recent 
study has proved that the facts we possess concerning his 
life — chiefly records of payment — show only that his service 
was faithful and well rewarded; that he rose steadily in 
fortune and regard; and that" he died a prosperous, successful 
man. His career in the royal household was like that of 
others in similar positions. Nothing in the long list of entries 
in the records of his Hfe is out of the ordinary life of the 
court-attendant; nor is it established that Chaucer's literary 
genius furthered his worldly welfare. Shakespeare's success 
as actor and manager, and our meager information about his 
literary life, are curiously paralleled by what we know of 
the career of our greatest English mediaeval poet. 

§44. Birth and Death. The dates of Chaucer's birth and 
death are uncertain. The years 1340-1344 may be given as 
limits for the former, however. October 25, 1400, is the 
traditional date of his death. The year is almost certainly 
correct. He was buried in Westminster Abbey; and around 
his tomb sprang up, long afterwards, the famous Poets' Corner. 

§45. Parentage. John Chaucer, Geoffrey Chaucer's father, 
was a London wine-merchant. He owned a brew-house, 
shops, etc., without Aldgate. His family may have been 
originally of Norfolk stock. Following what seems to have 
been a practice of prosperous merchants, he was able to 
obtain for his son a position as page in a royal household. 
Doubtless his personal services to Edward III, of which there 
is some record, gained him this favor. 

§46. Early Life. We know nothing of Chaucer's educa- 
tion. His name first appears May 20, 1357, in the household 
accounts of Elizabeth, Countess of Clarence, whose husband, 
Lionel, was a younger son of the king. In 1359, while in 
France during the invasion of that country, Chaucer was one 
of her household to be ransomed from captivity. Of his 
capture we know nothing. In 1360, still in service with the 
Countess or Duke Lionel, he was a bearer of messages 
between the young commander at Calais and his father, 
Edward IH, in London. His further promotion was due, no 
doubt, to well-earned popularity. A pleasant passage in The 



APPENDIX 59s 

Knyghtes Tale (A 1426-40) offers an interesting parallel, all the 
more valuable because the source of the poem, Boccaccio's 
Teseide, contains no hint of these lines. They may well be 
taken as a reminiscence of Chaucer's early days at court. 

A yeer or two he was in this servyse 

Page of the chambre of E'melye the brighte ; 

And Philostrate he seyde that he highte. 

But half so wel biloved a man as he 

Ne was ther nevere in court, of his degree ; 

He was so gentil of condicioun 

That thurghout al the court was his renoun. 

They seyden, that it were a charitee, 

That Theseus wolde enhaunsen his degree, 

And putten hym in worshipful servyse 

Ther as he myghte his vertu exercise. 

And thus withinne a while his name is spronge 

Bothe of hise dedes and his goode tonge, 

That Theseus hath taken hym so neer 

That of his chambre he made hym a Squier, 

And gaf hym gold to mayntene his degree. 

§47. Missions in the King's Service. In 1367, when Chau- 
cer's nam_e next appears, we find him newly established in 
the king's own household; a promotion which appears natural 
and not uncommon. His title was al first "vallettus," after- 
wards "esquier" (or in Latin ''scutifer" and "armiger"). The 
class of squires to which Chaucer belonged can best be com- 
pared to secretaries, in our day and land. They acted for 
the king in the purchase of supplies, in managing the house- 
hold, and in bearing messages of importance. Often during 
the wars they served abroad in the army. Thus in 1369 
Chaucer was in France, wnth many others of the king's house- 
hold. Other particular services, with dates, follow. 

1370. Dispatches to France. 

1372-1373. Secret service to Italy (Genoa and Florence), 
probably in connection with trade alliances. 

1376. Secret service abroad, with Sir John de Burley, who 
had been Captain of Calais. 

1377. Missions to Flanders and France, on a secret treaty 
with France. In these Chaucer was a subordinate, but 
apparently a trusted one. 

1378. Missions for the young king, Richard II, who had 
succeeded his grandfather, Edward III, in 1377, to France 
and to Lombardy. The latter embassy was sent to Barnabo 
Visconti, Lord of Milan, for assistance in his wars. 



594^ APPENDIX 

§48. Rewards. The squires of the King's household 
received a regular wage, sevenpence halfpenny a day. In 
addition, however, they were given such benefits as it was 
in the King's power to grant, such as annuities, grants of 
land, grants of office, the custody of lands belonging to heirs 
under age, and other valuable favors. Chaucer's rewards 
were apparently like those of other squires, some of whom 
received more, some less. His rewards follow. 

1367. Yearly pension of 20 marks (£13 6s. 8d.). 
1374. Pitcher of wine daily, from the king. 

1374. ControUership of Customs and Subsidy of Wools, 
skins, and leather for the Port of London. This was ended 
in 1386. 

1375. Custody of lands and person of Edmund Staplegate, 
of Kent. 

1376. Grant of fine paid by John Kent for smuggling. 
1382. ControUership of Petty Customs, Port of London. 

This was ended in 1386. 

1385. Justice of the Peace for Kent. 

1386. Knight of the Shire for Kent, and thus a member of 
Parliament. 

1389. Clerk of the King's Works at Westminster. 

1390. Clerk of the King's Works at Windsor. These offices 
probably involved superintendency of repairs and alterations. 

1390. Commission to repair the banks of the Thames 
between Woolwich and Greenwich. In this year Chaucer 
erected the royal scaffolds — grandstands — for a tournament 
in Smithfield. He was also appointed joint forester of North 
Petherton Park. 

1394. Grant of £20 annually for life. 

1398. Sole Forester of North Petherton Park. 

1399. Henry IV, crowned September, 1399, granted Chau- 
cer 40 marks (£26 13s. 4d.) annuity, in addition to the £20 
annuity, which was confirmed. 

All these rewards Chaucer owed, officially at least, directly 
to the King. His loss of the customs positions in 1386 may have 
been merely a resignation, and cannot be held to argue loss of 
fortune or royal favor. No doubt, in his twelve years of office, 
Chaucer's shrewdness and ability to deal with all sorts of people 
had brought him a considerable fortune. He must have become 
a landholder of some consequence in Kent to have been 
appointed Justice of the Peace for that shire. To the end of 



APPENDIX 595 

his life, so far as we have any right to judge, Chaucer appears 
to have steadily advanced in purse and reputation; and 
although a few records show Chaucer borrowing money, or 
sued for debt, yet he was probably no more hard pressed for 
that commodity than the King's exchequer. 

§49. Marriage, and Life in London and Greenwich. 
Squires of the royal household, as was natural, often married 
ladies-in-waiting. Probably before 1366, Chaucer married 
Philippa, generally believed to be Philippa Roet, Lady of 
the Chamber to Queen Philippa. She was the sister of 
Catherine Swynford, mistress and afterwards wife of John 
of Gaunt, of whose infant children she had been governess. 
In 1372 Philippa received a small grant from John of' Gaunt, 
and in 1374, with her husband, a further grant of £10 yearly. 
In the latter grant Chaucer's services to the Duke are also 
referred to, but it is likely that the whole grant was intended 
for the service of Philippa. Chaucer had written The Boke 
of the Duchesse in 1366 as a memorial of John of Gaunt's 
first wife, but the poem does not appear to have brought any 
immediate reward; nor does the traditional theory of John 
of Gaunt's patronage of Chaucer have any strong foundation. 
Still, in 1386, the Duke was present at a ceremony in Lincoln, 
when Philippa was admitted as a lay-member of the Cathedral 
body. 

Chaucer lived in 1374 in the dwelling-house above the gate 
of Aldgate. About 1386 he went to live in Greenwich; 
and shortly before the end of his life he leased a residence at 
Westminster. 

Of his married life we know nothing; less even than of 
Shakespeare's. His wife died about 1387. Thomas Chaucer, 
whose relationship to the poet is almost beyond dispute, 
appears to have been the only child to gain distinction. He 
was chief butler to Richard II, before Geoffrey died. A 
"litel sone Lowis," for whom Chaucer prepared his Astrolabe, 
is not mentioned elsewhere. 

Cecilia Chaumpaigne, in 1380, released Chaucer from all 
liability '*de raptu meo." The exact nature of the charge we 
have no means of knowing; it is likely that it was merely 
a civil suit, and that Chaucer was only one of a number 
involved. In September, 1390, Chaucer was robbed twice, 
near the Foul Oak in Kent, while traveling on business of 
his office, and some of the King's money was taken from 
him. 



596 APPENDIX 

§50. Chaucer's Friends. With his excellent opportunities 
and the amiable character which we observe in his writings, 
it would have been strange if Chaucer had not had a wide 
circle of friends. As a member of the King's household he 
doubtless felt it wrong to mix in the politics of the great 
lords, or the religious or social quarrels of his time. His 
associates, at any rate, are drawn from both of the chief 
conflicting parties. John Gower, the poet, author of Con- 
fessio Amantis, was an unsparing critic of Richard II and 
of the clergy. Chaucer dedicated his Troilus to him and to 
Ralph Strode, Fellow of Merton College, Oxford, and an 
opponent of Wycliffe. Chaucer also left Gower as his attor- 
ney upon his departure for France in 1378. Henry Scogan, 
to whom Chaucer addressed an Envoy, was tutor to King 
Henr}^ IV's sons, and had previously been in Richard's ser- 
vice. Otes de Graunson, from whose French verses Chaucer 
translated his Compleynt of Venus, was a knight of Savoy 
in the service of John of Gaunt. Robert de Bukton, to whom 
(probably) Chaucer addressed an Envoy, was a squire of 
Queen Anne's household, in Richard H's court. Eustache 
Deschamps, a contemporary poet of France, who served, like 
Chaucer, at his King's court, sent to his English rival in 
poetry a copy of his poems, with a ballade addressed to the 
''Grant translateur, noble Geffroy Chancier." Deschamps' 
poems had great influence upon Chaucer. Deschamps' 
friend, Lewis Clifford, who bore the poems to England, was 
an opponent of John of Gaunt, but with Lollard leanings. 

Other prominent men with whom Chaucer had relations 
were Lord William de Beauchamp, a son of the Earl of 
Warwick, and Thomas de Percy, a brother of the Earl of 
Northumberland. 

Of Chaucer's acquaintance in Italy we know nothing. He 
may have met Boccaccio and Petrarch, or he may not. At 
all events, he had time in a four-months' stay to make some 
Italian friendships. 

VI. Dates of Chaucer's Works. 

§51. None of Chaucer's writings is definitely dated. All de- 
pend upon more or less uncertain inferences from style, source, 
or allusions to contemporary events. It is a curious fact, that 
while the poet tells Scogan that while he was young, he put 
his pen ''forth in press," yet only one poem, the Boke of the 



APPENDIX 597 

Duchesse, can be dated with certainty before his thirty-fifth 
3^ear, and most of his extant work lies between the years of 
forty-five and sixty. Much, evidently, has been lost. 

1369-1370. Bokc of the Duchesse. Blanche, Duchess of Lan- 
caster, died in the autumn of 1369. 

1377-1381. Translation of Bocthius. 

1381. Parlement of Foules, celebrating the betrothal of 
Richard II and Anne of Bohemia, in 1381. 

1380-1385. Troihis and Criseyde. 

1386-1387. Legend of Good Women. Second Prologue (A- 
version) somewhat later (1394-95, according to Tatlock). 

1391-1392. Treatise on the Astrolabe. 

1387-1400. The Canterbury Tales. Of these the Knightes 
Tale (under the name of Palemon and Arcite), the Lyf of Seynt 
Cecilie, and perhaps other parts, were written earlier. The invo- 
cation in St. Cecilie has been placed at 1385, the rest of the 
Seconde Nonnes Tale earlier. 

1396. Lenz'oy to Bukton. If addressed to Robert' Bukton, as 
is probable, then just at his marriage before January, 1397. 

1399. Compleynt to his Purse. Addressed to Henry IV, as 
"conquerour" of England. Henry was crowned in 1399. 

§52. The other works have only vague and general evidence 
for date. Early work probably includes Chaucer's A B C, 3. 
translation, Origenes upon the Maudeleyne, Boke of the Leoun 
(lost), Compleynt of Mars, complaints, roundels, etc. The Hous 
of Fame and Anelida have been placed between 1380 and 1385. 
Late work includes probably a translation of Pope Innocent's 
De Contemptu Mundi, Fortune, Lak of Stedfastnesse, Envoy to 
Scogan, Compleynt of Venus and The Former Age. Last of all, 
according to the sentimental tradition supported by early scribes, 
came Trouthe, "written on his death-bed." 

VII. Chaucer's Reading. 

§53. Chaucer's works present to us a writer familiar with the 
best reading accessible in his age. There is little phenomenal or 
surprising in the great number of authors cited by Chaucer, 
whose names and works appear in the glossarial-index. More- 
over, many of the ancient writers Chaucer knew probably from 
the excerpts quoted in Florilegia, or mediaeval encyclopaedias. 
His wide acquaintance with the great French poets of his day 
was a natural thing, since for centuries French literature had 



598 APPENDIX 

been a model for English poets. His admiration for Dante, 
Petrarch and Boccaccio, however, marks the first influence of 
Italian literature upon our own. 

§54. Two works, the Roman de la Rose, of the thirt-eenth 
century, and Boethius' treatise De Consolatione Philosophice, of 
the sixth century, had the strongest hold upon Chaucer's thought 
and imagination. He published translations of both, and the 
worldly wisdom of the one and the spiritual wisdom of the other 
appear upon every page of his writings. 

§55. Next to these in influence come Guillaume Machault 
(fl. 1350), and Eustache Deschamps and Jehan Froissart, whose 
work was contemporary with his own. Their poems of courtly 
love, in the fiction of which the poet falls asleep and dreams a 
love-adventure, had become a definite literary type. Chaucer's 
own vision-poems. The Parlement of Foules, Boke of the 
Dtichesse, Prologue to the Legend of Good Women and The 
Hous of Fame, were the result of his study of French models. 
The Hous of Fame was perhaps intended to serve as prologue to 
some collection of tales; but it was never finished. 

§56. Of the Italians, Boccaccio was most influential. His 
Teseide is the source of The Knightes Tale; his Filostrato and 
Filocolo the chief sources of Troilus and Criseyde, though 
Chaucer nowhere acknowledges these debts. Boccaccio's tale of 
Griselda, translated by Petrarch from the Decameron into Latin, 
reached Chaucer in the later form. Other works by him may 
possibly have influenced the English poet. A sonnet of Petrarch's 
found its way into some stanzas of the Troilus, and some lines 
from Dante's Divina Commedia into the Invocation of the 
Seconde Nonnes Tale. It is now thought probable, also, that 
Chaucer's scheme of the pilgrimage with tales by the pilgrims, 
was the result of reading similar arrangements of tales by Italian 
authors, especially the Novelle of Giovanni Sercambi (1347- 
1424). 

§57. Of the Latin authors of the classical agfe— Chaucer, like 
other mediaeval readers, knew no Greek — our poet was acquainted 
with Virgil, Ovid (the chief source of the Legend of Good 
Women), Livy, Lucan, Claudian, and Maximian. The mediaeval 
encyclopaedists, and especially the writers in Latin of the twelfth 
to fourteenth centuries, furnished him with most of his varied 
knowledge of medicine, alchemy, precious stones, astronomy, 
history, biography, morals and religion. The Tale of the Man 
of Lawe, Melibee and the Persones Tale were versions of narra- 



APPENDIX 599 

tives from Latin sources. The Church Fathers, especially 
Augustine and Jerome, were part of the reading of good 
Christians. 

§58. French fabliaux furnished Chaucer with the plots of the 
tales of the Miller, Reeve, Shipman, Pardoner, Wife of Bath, 
Siimmoner, Merchant and Manciple. A Breton lay, in a French 
form, may have suggested the Frankeleyns Tale; and the Nonne 
Preestes Tale of the Cock and Fox was a chapter of the bour- 
geois mock-heroic epic, Lc Roman de Renart. 

Chaucer's achievement, however, lay not in the introduction 
of foreign matter and manner into English literature, nor in the 
number and variety of the books he read, but in his perfect 
assimilation of their thought, and in the wholly original impress 
with which every line of his poems is stamped. 

VIII. The Human Comedy of the Canterbury Tales. 

§59. On the sixteenth of April, 13 — , Chaucer and the other 
twenty-eight pilgrims gathered at the Tabard Inn in Southwark. 
The next morning they agreed to the Host's proposal of two 
tales by each pilgrim, both on the outward and the homeward 
way, the winner to have a dinner as a prize — the best prize of 
which Mine Host Harry Bailey could dream. At St. Thomas a 
Waterings the cuts were drawn, and the lot fell upon the 
knight — not by accident, if we know the admirable Host aright. 
Precedence at the high table in his inn had taught him somewhat. 

At the conclusion of the Knight's tale. Mine Host proceeded 
as courtesy asked, to invite the Monk to tell his tale. But the 
rules of courtesy, it seemed, must be laid aside. Drunken Robin, 
the Miller, has a tale of a carpenter to say, which vexes a little 
good Oswald the Reeve, and just by Deptford and Greenwich 
he retorts with the most famous tale of a miller that ever was 
known. Hodge of Ware, the London Cook, thought so at least, 
and with a threat of a tale of a landlord ere the pilgrimage were 
done, began a tale of an apprentice of London. This Chaucer 
never finished; and so ends all that was planned of the first day's 
stories (Group A). 

About ten o'clock, after leaving Dartford, Mine Host called 
upon the Man of Lawe. He responded nobly; and the Host 
would have followed up the godly story with something more 
of the serious, had not the Parson objected so strenuously to 
the profanity of landlord Harry. The Shipman rudely broke 



600 APPENDIX 

in with a ribald narrative, which greatly delighted master Bailey. 
Nevertheless, pursuing his rule of inviting the better class first, 
he called upon Madame Eglantine the Prioresse. So sober was 
her tale, that Mine Host, in desperation to relieve the tension, 
sought out Chaucer, who had been a source of considerable 
speculation to the worthy student of mankind at inns. A poet 
came his way but seldom. Alas ! the poet played him a scurvy 
trick with his ryme of Sir Thopas; and Mine Host got such 
relief that his ears ached. In revenge for being stopped, Chaucer 
next told a long tale in prose about patience, to the great edifi- 
cation of all. Mine Host wishes his wife might have heard it, 
for patience had never been her chief virtue. Now all was clear, 
and with the inevitability which comes to those who deal with 
ranks and classes, the Host succeeded, as they came in sight of 
Rochester, in getting Sir Piers the Monk to tell his melancholy 
long list of "tragedies." At last the pilgrims murmured, and 
the Knight, speaking for all, ventured to interrupt the Monk. 
Greatly relieved at this outcome, and grateful that the inter- 
ruption of a gentle had not been forced upon him, Mine Host 
turned, after the Monk's rebuff, to Sir John, the Nun^' Priest, 
and won the crown of the Tales, that of the Cock and Fox. 
Thus, scarcely outside Rochester, ended the second day (Group 
B). 

Next day, between Rochester and Sittingbourne, came the 
Physician with his sad story of Virginia, which almost broke 
Harry Bailey's heart. The jolly Pardoner rescued him with 
his bold and shameless self-revelation, and, indeed, so deeply 
impressed the Host a little later with his magnificent sermon 
against avarice, that for a moment the Pardoner really thought 
his confession had been forgotten. But Mine Host was not to 
be caught, and took refuge in abuse. Shortly afterwards, for 
they were still far from Sittingbourne, the Wife of Bath, Dame 
Alice, began the immortal discussion of the married state with 
her statement of her creed. Virginity for others, not for her. 
She will have a husband, and sovereignty as well. Friar Hubert, 
who had been somewhat ill at ease under the preachments of one 
whose sex had furnished the bulk of his own congregations, 
interrupted once during her recital, and again after her Tale, 
to the great disgust of the Summoner, his rival in ecclesiastical 
rascality. High words ensued, and it was not to be wondered at 
that their tales should have been virulent attacks upon each other, 
and furnished a highly comic interlude to the rest (Groups C- 
D). 



APPENDIX 601 

After luncheon at Sittingbourne, we may imagine the Host 
turning once more to his beloved gentles for a story-teller. He 
fixed upon the Clerk of Oxford, who had in silence been rumi- 
nating upon the sermon and creed of Dame Alice of Bath. His 
tale of Griselda, though the point was not at first apparent, was 
his own grave and yet mocking answer to the philosophy of the 
Wife. Griselda's patience, however, touched by contrast a very 
sore spot in the breast of the Merchant, and the Host begged 
him to continue the discussion. This he did, in the utter dis- 
credit and slander of the fair sex. In their defence. Mine Host 
next called upon the Squire to speak of love, which as yet had 
scarcely been mentioned. This point Chaucer himself did not 
finish, for the Squire's tale is left half-told. The Franklin, how- 
ever, was greatly pleased with the nobility of the young Squire, 
being all the more reminded of it by the want of gentlemanly 
breeding in his own son. Upon Mine Host's urging, he concludes 
the discussion of marriage by a tale in which both love and mar- 
riage are exalted, but honour more than all, a most worthy con- 
clusion. Thus the pilgrims reach Ospringe, upon the end of 
their third day (Groups E-F). 

On the fourth day, the Second Nun tells her tale of St. Cecilia, 
and the pilgrims are overtaken at Boughton by the alchemy-mad 
Canon and his Yeoman. The Host, ever curious as to the 
humours of mankind, engages the Yeoman in conversation, and 
learns more than the Canon cares to have known about his 
practices. The Canon flees away for very shame, and as they 
pass Blcan Forest the Yeoman tells a tale of trickery in trans- 
mutation. Not long afterwards, they come -in sight of Bob-up- 
and-down, or Harbledown, only a couple of miles out of Canter- 
bury, and the drunken Cook falls off his horse. The Manciple 
mocks him, but retracts upon second thought, and placates the 
Cook with wine from his own gourd. His Tale of a tattling 
crow brings the pilgrims into Canterbury, and at its close Mine 
Host calls upon the Parson to wind all up with a godly dis- 
course. With the Host's excellent injunction to be "fructuous, 
and that in lytel space," he begins his discourse upon Penitence, 
and the Comedy of the leisurely Canterbury Pilgrims comes to 
an end (Groups G-I). 

Note. — The above summary gives a more complete unity to 
the groups of extant Tales than perhaps ever really existed. In 
the Prologue, the reader will observe Chaucer planned for two 
tales each way by each pilgrim, but less than one-fifth were 



602 APPENDIX 

provided, and the connecting "links" leave nine separate groups 
of Tales (Groups A-I), the exact order of which is still a dis- 
puted matter. The order of the Ellesmere MS., for example, is 
held by Koch to be best. It arranges the Groups thus : A, B 
(through Man of Lazve), D, E, F, C, (rest of) B, G, H, I. 



GLOSSARY 



( 



J 



GLOSSARY 



Names, and in some cases notes on special words, are 
included in the following pages. Such etymologies as are 
needed for proper understanding of the Middle English 
forms are also included; but the etymologies are not 
intended to be complete guides to the early history of words, 
where the development of the form may be easily guessed. 

The student should remember the frequent interchange of 
"a" and "aa," 'T and "y,'' "e" and "ee," "o" and "oo" in 
referring to words. 

References to the selections are designated as follows: in 
the order printed, 



A, B, 


C, etc., to I, refer to the 


Ro 


To Rosemounde 




groups of the Canter- 


Tr 


Truth 




bury Tales 


Gent 


Gentilesse 


Pi 


Compleint unto Pite 


LS 


Lak of Stedfastnesse 


Du 


Book of the Duchesse 


Sc 


Envoy to Scogan 


Cm 


Compleint of Mars 


Bu 


Envoy to Bukton 


Pf 


Parlement of Foules 


CV 


Compleint of Venus 


L 


Legend of Good Women 


P 


To his Purse 


CL 


Compleynt to his Lady 


Pr 


Proverbs 


An 


Anelida and Arcite 


AgW 


Against Women Incon- 


Ad 


Adam Scrivener 




stant 


Fa 


Former Age 


Wn 


Wommanly Noblesse 


Fo 


Fortune 


As 


Astrolabe 


MB 


Merciless Beaute 







' 



The following- are the chief abbreviations used: 



a 


adjective 


refi 


reflexive 


ace 


accusative 


s 


singular 


ad 


adverb 


saec 


century 


art 


article 


sb 


substantive 


c 


circa, about (dates) 


Sk 


according to W. W. Skeat 


cf. 


compare 


subj 


subject 


conj 


conjunction 


suff 


suffix 


d 


died 


vb 


verb, verbal 


dat 


dative 


< 


derived from 


f 


feminine 


1,2,3 


first, second and third per- 


gen 


genitive 




son 


imp 


imperative 


AF 


Anglo-French 


impers 


impersonal 


Arab 


Arabic 


inf 


infinitive 


AS 


Anglo-Saxon 


interj 


interjection 


Dan 


Danish 


m 


masculine 


Du 


Dutch 


n 


neuter 


F 


French 


P 


present participle 


Gael 


Gaelic 


pers 


personal 


Ger 


German 


pers 


personification 


Gr 


Greek 


pl 


plural 


Icel 


Icelandic 


poss 


possessive 


Lat 


Latin 


pp 


past participle 


L Ger 


Low German 


pr 


present 


ME 


Middle English 


prep 


preposition 


OF 


Old French 


pron 


pronoun 


ON 


Old Norse 


Pt 


past tense 


Sw 


Swedish 


qv 


which see 







A AN— 



607 



— ACLOYITH 



a an art. a AS an (n before cons. 

dropped after 1200) 
a inf. have (through slurring) 

ME haven, han 
a interj. ah! Oh! ME, OF a. 
a prep. in, on, for ; a certain 

years] for a space of years ; a 

twenty winter] twenty years; a 

Goddes half] for God's sake ; a 

wordes few] in few words; a 

three] in three ; a-nyght] at 

night; a-morwe] on the morrow; 

AS on 
abak : backwards AS onbaec 
abashat, abasshed pp. abashed, 

disconcerted OF esbair, pres. 

stem esba'iss- 
abawed pp. disconcerted OF 

abaubir "stammer," influenced by 

esbahir 
abayst pp. abashed, disconcerted; 

cf. abashat. ^ 

abbesse: abbess F abbesse 
abedde: abed AS on bedde 
a-begged: a-beggng ME a(on) + 

beggeth, analogy with AS huntaS 

"hunting" 
abeye inf. pay for AS abycgan 
abhomynable: horrible, vile OF 

abominable 
abhomynacions: abominations OF. 
abiUte: ability OF. 
abode, pt. s. expected ; cf. abyde 
abood sb. delay vb. sb. from pt. 

of AS abidan 
aboughte 3 pt. s. bought, atoned 

for ; abought, pp. ; aboght pp. ; 

cf. abye 
about prep, about ; aboute 
aboute ad. around AS abutan 
aboven : above AS abufan 
Abraham: Hebrew patriarch; cf. 

Genesis 
a-brayede pt. s. awoke AS 

abregdan 
abregge inf. abridge OF abregier, 

abrevier 
abroche inf. broach, open (a 

cask) ME on + OF broche 

"spigot" 
abrood: wide open ME on + AS 

brad, ME brod 



Absalom Absalom, son of David, 
famous for beauty 

absolucioun: absolution OF. 

abusioun: illusion OF. 

abyden inf. wait for ; abyd imp. 
AS abidan 

abyen inf. pay for, suffer, atone 
for, abide AS abycgan 

abyte: habit, dress OF habit 

a-caterwawed : caterwauling ; cf. 
a-begged ME on + cat + wawe 
"wail" 

accident: the outward appearance 
or phenomenon of a thing, as 
opposed to the thing (substance) 
itself, in allusion to the dispute 
between Realists and Nominalists 
(Sk.) C 539; unusual appearance, 
E 607; OF. 

accomplice inf. accomplish OF 
accomplir, pr. part, accompliss- 

accord sb. agreement, decision 
OF acorde 

accordant: suitable OF. 

accorde 3 pr. pi. agree OF acorder 

achaat sb. buying OF, 

achatours: purchasing agents OF 
achateor^ achetour 

Acheloys gen. Achelous, river-god, 
took form of a bull in wrestling 
with Hercules 

Achetofel: Ahithophel, adviser of 
David, and afterward adviser of 
Absalom against David; cf. 2 
Samuel xvii. Dryden uses the 
form Achitophel in his Absalom 
and Achitophel 

Achilles: the greatest warrior 
among the Greeks at Troy. To 
avenge the death of his friend 
Patroclus he slew Hector and 
dragged his body thrice around 
the walls of Troy. Later he was 
lured to the temple of Apollo in 
Troy by the promise of marriage 
to Polyxena, daughter of Priam, 
and was there attacked by Paris 
and a band of men and slain, 
together with his friend Archilo- 
chus. This story of his death 
comes from Benoit de Sainte- 
Maure and Guido delle Colonne 

acloyith: cloys, loads up OF 
encloyer 



A-COMPAS- 



608 



— ALAYES 



a-compas: in a circle ME on + F 

compas 
acordaunt a. in accord with ; 

acordaunt to resoun] reasonable, 

proper OF. 
acorde sb. accord ; al of oon 

acorde] in harmony OF. 
acorden 3 pr. pi. agree ; acorded 

3 pt. s. was fitting ; acordeden 

3 pt. pi. ; acorded pp. OF 

acorder 
acounte: take count of OF aconter 
acquite inf. acquit oneself ; 

acquiteth 2 pi. imp. OF aquiter 
actes pi. deeds OF acte 
acusour: informer OF acuseor 
acustumaunce: habit OF acous- 

tumance 
adamant: adamant, fabulous mate- 
rial of extreme strength ; ada- 

mauntis pi. magnets OF. 
Adoon : Adonis, Grecian youth be- 
loved by Venus A 2224 
adoun : down, downwards ; adoune : 

AS of + dune dat. dun "hill, 

down" 
adrad pp. afraid, fearful AS 

ofdrsedan 
Adriane : Ariadne, beloved of The- 
seus and Bacchus 
Adromacha : Andromache, wife of 

Hector 
adversarie : adversary Lat adversa- 

rius F adversaire 
adversitee, adversyte : misfortune, 

adversity OF. 
advertence; attention OF. 
advocat: advocate; advocatz pi. 

(the t is mute) OF avocat 
a-£er: afar ME on + fer 
aferd, afered, aferid pp. afraid 

AS afseran 
affeccioun of hoolynesse : love for 

a divine nature OF affection 
affermeth 3 pr. s. affirms ; affermed 

pp. OF afermer 
affile inf. smooth OF afiler 
affray, afraye sb. fright, terror 

OF esfrei 
affrayed pp. frightened OF es- 

freier 
Affrik : Africa 

Affrikan, Affrycan : cf. Scipioun 
afounde: founder, sink OF afonder 



dread ; cf. affray 
frightened AS afyrht 
to get, for, according 

oon] alike, equal AS 



afraye sb. 

afright pp. 

after prep, 
to ; after 
sefter 

aftir: cf. after 

aftyr as: according as 

agame: in sport ME on + game 

agaste 3 pt. s. refl. was aghast; 
agaste, agast pp. frightened 
AS agslstan 

Agaton: Agatho, perhaps an Athe- 
nian poet mentioned by Aris- 
totle as author of play called 
*'The Flower" (Gary and Skeat) 

agayn, agaynes, agayns ad. again ; 
prep, against, towards, to meet 
AS ongegn, ongeanes 

agaynward: back again 

agen : again 

Agenores poss. Agenor's daughter, 
Europa, was carried off by Jupi- 
ter, who had taken the form of a 
bull 

ageyn : again, in reply 

ageynist: against, before 

agiltyn inf. com.mit wrong; agilte 
3 pt. pi. were at fault AS 
agiltan 

ago, agon, agoo, agoon pp. gone 
AS agan "pass away" 

a-gref ad. ill ME on -\- OF grief 

agreved pp. angry OF agrever 

agrief: in ill humor 

agryse inf. dread, tremble with 

fear ; agryse of] shudder at G 280 ; 
AS agrisan 

agu: ague OF ague f. of agu 

aiel: grandfather OF aiol, aiuel 

ake inf. ache ; aken 3 pr. pi. AS 
acan 

aketoun: short stuffed jacket OF 
aketon 

al a. all; al a] the whole of; al 
and sum] the whole ; al ad. all, 
completely ; al be, al conj. 
though ; al redy : all ready 
eal pi. ealle 

al sb. awl, prick AS ael 

al outerly: utterly 

alabastre: alabaster OF. 

alauntz pi. wolf (?) -hounds 
alan, alant 

alayes: alloy OF alei 



al- 

AS 



OF 



ALCEBIADES— 



609 



-ALYGHT 



Alcebiades: Alcibiades, Athenian 
commander in the Peloponnesian 
war, famous for his beauty and 
grace 

Alceste: queen of Admetus, king 
of Thessaly, went to Hades as a 
substitute for her husband 

Alcipyades : cf. Alcebiades 

Alcyone : Alcyone, or Halcyone, 
who for grief at the death of 
her husband, Ceyx, threw herself 
into the sea. The gods in pity 
changed them to birds, king- 
fishers 

alday : continually, all day 

alder poss. pi. of all ; our alder] 
of us all AS ealre 

alderbeste ad. best of all 

alderfayrest : the very fairest 

alderfirst: first of all 

alderman sb. head of a guild AS 
ealdorman 

Aldiran: Aldiran, a star in Leo 

aldirnex : next of all 

ale-stake: stake from which hung 
branch of ivy, etc., the "bush," 
as sign of an ale-house AS ealu 
n. + staca m. 

aleye: alley OF alee 

Aleyn: Alain de I'lsle, saec. xii, 
wrote *'De Planctu Naturae," a 
treatise in prose and verse, and 
"Anticlaudianus," defending celi- 
bacy 

Algarsyf: son of Cambynskan 

algate, algates, algatis ad. in every 
way, always, at least, neverthe- 
less, anyhow, no matter how, at 
any rate ON alia gotu ad. ace. 

Algezir: city in Granada, captured 
from the Moors in 1344 

alighte 3 pt. s. dismounted, 
camped ; alight pp. AS alihtan 
"remove load from" 

Alisaundre: Alexandria in Egypt 
was captured by the King of 
Cyprus in 1365 

Alisaundre, Alysaunder: Alexander 
the Great 

Alisoun : friend of Dame Alice, the 
Wife of Bath 

Alkaron : Al-Koran, the Moslem 
Bible 

all : although 



Alia, Alle, Aella: king of Northum- 
berland, 560-567 A. D. 

alias interj. alas! OF. 

alle pi. al : all; alle and some] one. 
and all 

allegge inf. allege, put forth as 
evidence OF esligier "free of 
legal difficulties" 

aller poss. pi. of all; at oure aller 
cost] at the expense of all of us 

alliaunce: alliance OF. 

allon, allone: alone ME al -f on 
< AS an, (?)ana 

allowethe for allow the 1 pr. s. I 
commend thee OF alouer 

allye, allyee sb. ally ; allyes pi. 
family connections OF alier 
"bind" 

allyen, allie inf. ally oneself, join 
with; allyed pp. OF alier 

Alma redemptoris: the first words 
of several Latin hymns : alma 
redemptoris mater, benign mother 
of the Redeemer 

Almache : Almachius, "prefect" of 
Rome 

Almageste : the greatest astronomi- 
cal work of Ptolemy (c. 150 
A. D.) < Arab al (the) + 
mejisti < Gr megiste, greatest 

almesse: alms AS aelmysse 

almest: almost AS eal + maest 

almoost ad. almost 

almusdede: the giving of alms AS 
aelmysse + dsed f. 

Alnath: a fixed star in Aries, name 
of the moon's first mansion 

Alocen: Alhazen c. 1000, an Ara- 
bian astronomer 

alofte: aloft ON a lopt 

als : as AS eal swa 

also: as; often used to introduce a 
wish AS eal swa 

altercacioun: dispute OF. 

althou : although ; cf. althogh 

alther-first : first of all ; cf. aider- 
first 

althogh, althou, althow: although 
ME al -f AS >eah 

alway, alwey : always, continually ; 
AS ealne weg ad. ace. 

alyche : alike AS onlic a. 

alyght pp. alighted, arrived; cf. 
alight 



ALYVE— 



610 



—APERCEYVYNGES 



alyve : alive AS on lyfe dat. 

Amadrides : Hamadryades, wood- 
nymphs 
. Amazones : Amazons, nation of 
women 

ambes as: double aces, lowest 
throw in dice OF. 

ambil sb. amble, gentle pace OF 
ambler 

amblere sb. ambling horse 

amblyng : ambling, pacing gently - 

amenden inf. better, improve ; 
amended 3 pt. s. ; amendid pp. 
OF amender 

ameved 3 pt. s. changed, altered 
OF esmovoir 

amonge, amonges ad. all the 
while; among prep. AS onmang 

amor vincit omnia: Love conquers 
all things 

amorouse : amorous, loving OF 
amoros 

a-morwe: on the morrow 

amounteth 3 pr. s. means, amounts 
to OF amonter 

Amphiorax: Amphiaraus, one of 
the Seven against Thebes, be- 
trayed by Eriphyle, his wife, for 
a necklace 

Amphioun: Amphion, king of 
Thebes, the music of whose lyre 
caused stones to form themselves 
into the walls of Thebes 

amy: friend OF. 

amyable: amiable OF. 

amydde, amyddes, amyddis: amid, 
amidst AS on middan (dat. f. 
-{- -es ad. sufif.) 

amys: amiss, wrong ON a mis(?) 
AS missan 

an : cf . a 

an prep, on AS on 

ancre: ayichor AS ancor 

and conj. and; and if] used with 
conditional force ; used as a rela- 
tive B 622 AS and 

Anelyda: queen of "Ermonye," 
Armenia 

angle : four houses, or divisions of 
zodiacal circle, were called angles, 
N. E, S. and West ; angle merid- 
ional] tenth mansion of the 
heavens (Sk.) OF. 



anglehoke: fish-hook, angle -1- AS 
hoc m. 

anglis: angles 

angre: anger, trouble ON angr 

angwissh: anguish OF anguisse 

anhange : hang ME on + AS hon 
(pp. hangen) 

anlaas: knife, dagger ME on -|- 
OF laz "hanging on cord" 

annexe : annex ; annexed pp. bound 
to OF annexer 

annunciat pp. told of by annun- 
ciation Lat. annunciatus 

anon, anone, anoon ad. right away, 
soon; anon ryght] at once AS 
on an "in one (moment)" 

anoy: trouble OF anoi 

anoyeth 3 pr. s. turns out ill; 
annoy ye imp. pi OF anoier 

answere sb. answer, reply AS 
and swarn f. 

answere inf. answer; answerde, 
answered 3 pt. s. AS andswarion 

antheme: anthem AS antefen < 
antiphona 

Anthenor : Antenor, according to 
Guide's Historia Troiana, be- 
trayed Troy by sending the 
sacred Palladium to Ulysses 

Antheus, Antaeus : a giant, strength- 
ened by every contact with earth, 
slain by Hercules, who held him 
over his head B 3298 

anthiphoner : antiphonea, hymn- 
book 

Antiochus, Anthiochus : Antiochus, 
the great king of Syria, character 
in "Apollonius" 

Antonius: Mark Antony 

Antylegyus : Archilochus, slain with 
Achilles, q. v. 

anvelet: anvil AS anfilte, anfselt f. 

anyght: at night 

apalled pp. weakened, pallid OF 
apallir 

apayd pp. paid, repaid, satisfied 
OF paier 

ape sb. ape, dupe AS apa m. 

Apelles; cf. Appelles 

Apennyn : The iVpennines 

aperceyve inf. perceive OF aper- 
cevoir 

aperceyvynges: perceptions 



APERE— 



611 



—ARRAYED 



apere inf. appear OF aparoir 

pres. stem aper 
apert: openly 
apertenaunt, apertenent, apertinent: 

belonging to OF apartenant 
apertenyng: belonging to 
apese inf. appease, allay ; apeseth 

imp. pi OF apaisier 
apeyren inf. injure OF empeirier 
apiked pp. trimmed, adorned OF 

a + piquer 
Apius: Appius Claudius, a Roman 

judge 
apostles poss. pi. apostles' 
apothecarie : apothecary OF 

apotecaire 
apparaille sb. and inf. apparel OF 

aparailler 
apparaillynge : preparation 
apparence : appearance, illusion 

OF. 
appeere, apperen inf. appear OF 

aparoir 
Appelles: Apelles, Grecian painter 

of Alexander's time 
appetit: appetite OF. 
appreved pp. approved, true OF 

aprover 
Apprile, Aprill, Aprille : April 
approcheth 3 pr. s. approacheth 

OF aprochier 
apresse: oppress, blame; cf. 

oppresse 
aproprid pp. appropriated, inhe- 
rent in OF aproprier 
aprovede pp. approved ; cf . 

appreved 
aqueynt inf. refl. make myself 

acquainted OF acointer 
aqueyntaunce : acquaintance OF 

acointance 
Arabe, Arabye : Arabia 
Arabyen: Arabian OF. 
arace inf. tear away, root out 

OF arachier 
aray: array, apparition OF arai 
archeer: archer OF archier 
archiwyves: wives who rule AS 

arce + wif 
Arcita, Arcite, Arcyte : Theban 

noble, cousin of Palamon in the 

Knight's Tale 
arede inf. interpret AS araedan 
areest, areste: seizure, counsel, 



deliberation; cf. arreeste. OF 
areste 

areste inf. stop, halt OF arester 

arette imp. pi. impute; aretted pp. 
OF areter 

arewe: in a row AS on + raw, 
rsew f. 

argued 3 pt. s. argued ; arguynge 
p. OF arguer 

argumenten 3 pr. pi. argue OF. 

argumentis : arguments 

argumentz : argument, angle, arc, 
etc., from which another quan- 
ity may be deduced 

Argus: the hundred-eyed guardian, 
set by Juno to guard lo, slain 
by Mercury. He is confused 
(Du 435) with Algus, or Abu 
Ja'far Mohamed Ben Musa, 
whose work on algebra intro- 
duced Arabic numerals into 
Europe 

arist 3 pr. s. arises; arcs 3 pt. s. 
arose ; arys imp. AS arisan 

Aristoclides : a Greek tyrant 

Aristotle: the great Athenian phil- 
osopher, and rhetorician 

arive : disembarkation of troops for 
assault OF. 

ark: arc, entent along rim horizon 
AS arc, arce 

armen inf. arm ; armeth imp. pi. ; 
armed pp. OF armer 

armes, armys pi. arms, coat-of- 
arms AS earm m. 

arm-greet : as large as your arm 

armlees : armless 

armonye : harmony OF harmonic 

Armorik: Armorica, Latin name 
for Brittany 

armoure: armor OF armure 

armurers: armorers OF armurier 

armynge sb. arming 

armypotente: powerful in arms 
Lat armipotens 

arn 3 pr. pi. are 

arowe, arwes pi. arrow AS 
ar(e)we f. 

arowe ad. in a row ; cf. arewe 

Arpies: Harpies, birds with female 
heads, mentioned in Virgil 

arrayed pp. equipped, prepared 
OF araier 



ARREESTE— 



612 



-ASYDE 



arreeste: arrest, confinement OF 

areste 
arrerage: arrears OF ariere + age 
arrest: the rest, or lance support; 

in arrest] into position OF 

arest 
Arrius: friend of Latumius (Pale- 

tinus), two characters in Gesta 

Romanorum 
ars-metrik: arithmetic Lat ars 

metrica 
Arthemesie: Artemisia, wife of 

Mausolus, erected the mauso- 
leum for his sepulchre 
Arthour: Arthur, king of Britain 
artificial day: "day," in which sun 

is above horizon 
artow: art thou 
Artoys : a province of France 
art, arte : art, science ; pars. Arti- 
ficiality ; specifically, Ovid's **Ars 

Amatoria," A 476 
arwes : cf. arowe 
aryht, aryght: aright ME on + 

right 
aryve inf. come to land OF 

ariver 
as: as if; used as expletive, with 

little meaning, slightly restrictive 

AS eal swa 
as: ace OF as 

asay: trial OF essai ob asaier 
asaye: try; cf. assaye OF asaier 
asayle inf. assail; cf. assaille OF 

assaillir 
ascencioun of the equynoxial: as- 
cension of the equinoctial, fifteen 

degrees, or one hour OF ascen- 

cion 
ascendent: ascendant, point of 

ecliptic rising above horizon at 

given moment OF. 
ascendynge: in the ascendant; cf. 

ascendent 
ascuse : excuse OF escuse 
asken inf. ask ; aske 2 and 3 pr. s. 

subj. AS ascian, acsian 
asking s. question 
aslaked pp. assuaged AS aslacian 
aslepe : asleep ME on + slep dat. 
asonder a. asunder, apart AS 

onsundran 
asp: aspen, poplar; aspe AS aesp, 

sespe f. 



aspect: astrological situation; the 
relation between two planets OF 
aspect 

aspre: fierce OF. 

aspye: spy, see OF espier 

assaille, asayle inf. assail ; as- 
sailled pp. OF assailler 

assaut sb. assault OF assaut 

assay sb. test, trial OF assai 

assay inf. try, test; assayed pp. 
OF assier 

asse: ass AS assa m. 

asseged pp. besieged OF asegier 

assemblen inf. assemble ; assem- 
blede pp. OF asembler 

assente inf. agree to, consent ; as- 
sentid pp. OF assentir 

asseureth 3 pr. s. assures OF 
aseiirer 

assh: ash tree AS sesc m. (i-stem) 

asshen sb. pi. ashes AS asce f. 

asshen a. ashen, pale 

asshy: strewn with ashes 

assise: assize OF assise "sitting" 

assoille: absolve OF assoile pr. s. 
subj. of assoudre 

assoillyng sb. absolution 

asterte inf. escape, burst, out ; 3 
pt. s. subj. might escape ; aS' 
terted 3 pt. s. ; astert pp. ME 
asterten ; cf. AS sturtan 

astonyed 3 pt. s. astonished 
astoned, astonied, astonyd pp. 
OF estoner 

astored pp. provided OF estorer 

astrelabie: astrolabe, instrument 
for obtaining altitude of planets 
and stars Lat astrolabium 

astrologien : astrologer, astrono- 
mer OF. 

astronomye: really astrology, the 
science of the application of 
astronomy to human uses through 
prediction or through the sup- 
posed influence of the planets 
over the lives of men OF astron- 
omic 

asure: azure, blue OF azur 

aswage : assuage, lessen OF 
asuagier 

aswow, aswowne : in a swoon 
on + AS swogen (geswogen 
"senseless") 

asyde : aside ME on + AS side f. 



I 



ASYE— 



613 



— AVAUNTOUR 



Asye : Asia, or Asia Minor OF 

Asie 
at: at, through, of; at all] in everj 

respect; at our large] free AS 

«t 
atake inf. overtake ME a + take 
Atazir: influence Arab al-tazir 
atempry : temperate OF atempre 
ateyn inf. attain, discover OF 

ateindre, pr. stem ateign 
Athalante : Atalante, a nymph, a 

keen, swift huntress, beloved by 

Hippomenes, and beaten by hirn 

in a race through his dropping 

of golden apples ; she took part 

with Meleager in the Calydonian 

boar-hunt 
Athalus: Attalus, reputed inventor 

of chess 
aton ad. at one] into reconcilia- 
tion 
atones, attones ad. at one time, 

at once ME at -f AS ones 
atrede inf. surpass in judgment 

ME at + rede AS raedan 
atrenne inf. surpass in running 

at + AS rinnan 
att GO worde : in a word 
attamed pp. brought on OF 

atamer 
atte: at the; atte beste] in the 

best way ; atte fulle] fully 
attemperaunce : self-control OF 

atemprance 
attempre, attempree : temperate, 

tempered, mild OF atem.pre 
attendance: attentive service OF. 
Attenes: Athens 
atteyne inf. attain ; cf. ateyn 
Atthalante, *Athalante 
atthamaunt: adamant, q. v. 
Atthenes: Athens 
Attheon : Actaeon, a Grecian youth, 

accidentally sav/ Diana bathing, 

whereupon he was turned into a 

stag and devoured by his own 

dogs 
Attilla: Attila, *'the scourge of 

God," is said to have burst a 

blood-vessel 
attones: at one time; cf. atones 
atweyne: in two ME on -}- tweyne 

q. v. 



atwo : in two ME on, a + two 

q. V. 
atyr: attire OF atire 
auctoritee, autorite : authority, 

authoritative statement OF 

autorite 
auctour, autourys pi. author ; in 

B 4172 the reference is to 

Cicero, author of De Divinatione 

OF autor, auctour 
audience: hearing OF. 
auditour: auditor OF. 
aught ad. at all AS awiht 
aught, ought: ought, owed AS 

ahte 
auncestre: ancestor OF ancestre 
aungel: angel AS sengel, engel, 

OF angele 
aungellyche : like an angel 
aunte : aunt OF aunte 
auntrous: adventurous OF aven- 

turos 
Aurelian : Roman Emperor d. 275 
Aurelius: a Breton squire 
Aurora: the title of a Latin metri- 
cal version of the Bible by Petrus 

de Riga, in the twelfth century 
Austyn: ^t. Augustine of Hippo, 

author of the rules governing the 

Augustinian canons 
autentyke a. authentic OF 

autentique 
auter: altar OF auter AS altar 
autorite : authority ; autoriteis pi. 

cf. auctoritee OF autorite 
autourys : authors ; cf. auctour 
availe, availle inf. avail, aid, be of 

value : availeth 3 pr. s. ; avayle 

3 pr. pi OF a + valoir, pres. 

stem vail 
avalen inf. take down, cast down 

OF avaler 
avantage: advantage; doon his 

avantage] employ his opportunity 

OF. 
avante, avaunte 1 pr. s. boast 

OF avanter 
avaunce inf. advance, aid OF 

avancer 
avaunt sb. boast, claim OF 

avaunt 
avauntage: advantage OF. 
avaunte 1 pr. s. refl. boast OF. 
avauntour: boaster OF. 



AVAUNTYNG— 



614 



— BARBARYE 



avauntyng sb. boasting 

Ave Marie: Ave Maria, Hail Mary 

aventaille: the lower part of the 

helmet OF esventail 
aventure: hap, fortune, chance 

OF. 
Arveragus: a Breton knight < Celt 

name 
Averill: April OF Avril 
Averrois: Averroes, Moorish 

scholar and physician of twelfth 

century 
avise, avyse 1 pr. s. refl. reflect 

OF aviser 
avision : vision, dream OF. 
avouterye : adultery OF avoutrie 
avow sb. vow OF avoue 
avowe inf. avow ; avowyth 3 pr. s. 

vows OF avouer 
Avoy! fie! OF avoy 
Avycen: Avicenna, Ibn Sina, Ara- 
bian physician of the eleventh 

century, called the "Prince of 

Physicians" 
avys: advice, discussion, opinion 

OF avis 
avyse inf. take counsel with 

(refl.) , consider, ponder ; avyseth 

2 imp. deliberate OF aviser 
avysely : advisedly 
avysement: consideration OF. 
awake imp. s. awaken; awaketh 

imp. pi. ; awaked, awooke 1 pt. s. 

AS awacnan int. (weak) on- 

waecnan (strong) 
awapid, awhaaped pp. amazed ME 

a + whape ; cf. whap to strike 
awayt sb. watch, surveillance OF 

awaitier 
awaytinges : services 
awerke: at work ME on werke, 

petrified dat. 
aweye: gone, absent AS on weg, 

aweg 
aweyward : away, backwards 
awhaaped pp. amazed, dumb- 
founded ; cf. awaped 
awreke inf. avenge ; awreke pp. 

AS on + wrecan 
ax sb. axe AS sex, eax f. 
axen inf. ask, seek, incur ; axe 

1 pr. s. ; axed 3 pt. s. ; axsede 

3 pt. pi. AS acsian 
axyng sb. request, question 



ay ad. aye, always, ever AS a, 

Icel ei 
ayen, ayeyn : again ; cf. ageyn 
ayen, ayenst, ayeyns: opposite, 

against 
ayleth 2, 3 pr. s. ails AS eglan 
ayre: air OF air 

B 

ba: caress, kiss OF baer "to open 

the mouth" 
baar, bar 3 pt. s. bore ; cf. here 
Babilon a. Babylonian 
Babiloigne, Babyloyne: Babylon 
bacheler: youth, candidate for 

knighthood OF. 
bachelrye: young men OF bach- 

elerie 
bacoun: bacon OF bacon 
Bacus: Bacchus, god of wine 
bacyns: basins OF bacin 
bad 3 pt. s. bade ; cf. bidde 
bade 1 pt. s. bidde 
badde a. bad (orig. unkn.) 
badder: worse 

baggepipe: bagpipe Icel baggi 
bagges: bags Icel baggi 
baggeth 3 pr. s. looks askance 
baillif sb. bailiff, steward or over- 
seer OF. 
baiteth 3 pr. s. baits, pastures ; cf. 

bayte 
bak, bake, bakke sb. back AS 

bsec n. 
bake pp. baked AS bacan 
balade : a poem of three stanzas 

with "envoy" ; the meter found 

in such a poem riming abab bcc 
balaunce s. balance; in balaunce] 

in suspense OF. 
Baldeswelle : Bawdeswell 
bale: ill, sorrow; for bote ne bale] 

for good nor for ill AS balu, 

bealu n. 
balke: beam AS balca "a heap," 

"ridge" 
balled a. bald Gael bal "spot" 
bane: death, destruction AS bana 

m. "slayer" 
baner: banner, the signal for the 

muster of troops OF banere 
banysshed pp. banished OF 

banir 
Barbarye : heathendom 



BARBOUR- 



615 



— BENYGNE 



harbour: barber, who often acted 

as surgeon OF barbeor 
barbre : barbarian ME barbare < 

Lat barbarus 
barel: barrel; barel ale] barrel of 

ale OF baril 
baren 3 pt. pi. refl. behaved ; cf. 

here 
bareyne; barren OF baraine 
bargaynes sb. pi. bargains OF 

bargaigne 
barly: barley AS baerlic 
barm: bosom; barme dat. AS 

bearm m. 
Barnabo Viscounte : Bernabo Vis- 

conti, duke of Milan, died 1385 
baronage : assembly of barons, the 

nobility OF. 
barre : bar ; barres : metal orna- 
ments on a girdle OF. 
bataille, batayle sb. battle OF. 
batailled a. embattled, like a bat- 
tlement 
bateth 3 pr. s. baits ; cf. bayte 
Bathe: Bath, in Somerset, England 
bauderie : gaiety; cf. OF bauderie 

"boldness" 
baudes: bawds ME bawdstrot < 

OF baldestrot 
baudy : dirty 
bawdryk : baldric or belt worn 

over one shoulder OF baldric, 

baldrei 
bayte inf. bait, feed ; baiteth 3 pr. 

s. ; bateth ON beita "to make 

bite" 
be 3 pr. s. subj., imp., pp. ; cf. ben 

AS beon 
be prep, b}- ; be my trouthe] truly, 

verily AS bi 
beare inf. bear; cf. here; beare 

lyfe] live 
beaute: beauty; beauteis pi. OF. 
bech: beech tree AS bece f. 
become inf. become ; becomen pp. ; 

wher is becomen] what has be- 
come of AS becuman 
bed: bed; bedde; beddes, beddys, 

bedis poss. ; bedde pi. AS bed 
beddynge: bedding 
bede 1 pt. pi., pp. ordered; cf. 

bidde 
bedes pi. beads AS bed- (in 

comp.) prayer < biddan 



beede 1 pr. s. offer ; 2 pr. pi. ; 

bede pp. AS beodan 
beek sb. beak; bek OF bee 
beel amy: good friend OF bel ami 
beem sb. beam; hemes pi. AS 

beam m. 
been pi. bees AS beo f. 
beende : bend AS bendan 
beer 3 pt. s bore ; cf. here 
beerd : beard x\S beard m. 
beere: bier AS bair f. 
beeste: beast OF beste 
beete inf. kindle, mend ; betten 

3 pt. pi. AS betan 
befill 3 pt. s. happened ; cf. bifalle 

AS befeallan 
beforn: beforehand AS beforan 
began pt. s. beginne 
begge inf. beg OF begger 
begged: a begged] a-begging (old 

gerund ending -ath) ; cf. a 
beggere: begger OF begart 
beggestere: beggar woman OF 

beg + AS estere f. suflf. 
begile inf. beguile, deceive be + 

OF guiler 
begoon: situated; cf. bigon 
beheette : promised AS behatan 
beholde': behold, look at ; on to 

behold] look upon AS behealdan 
behoteth 3 pr. s. promise ; cf. 

behote AS behatan 
behynde : behind, in the rear ranks 

AS behindan 
bek: beak; bekys pi. OF bee 
bekke : beck, nod 

beleve inf. believe AS ge-lyfan 
belle sb. bell AS belle 
Bellona: Goddess of War 
Belmarye: a Moorish kingdom in 

Africa, Benamarin 
hemes pi. trumpets AS hemes 
hemes, hemys pi. beams AS beam 
hen inf. to be ; pp. AS beon 
bene : bean AS bean f. 
benedicite : bless ye; often pro- 
nounced as a three-syllable word, 

ben'cite, bendiste Lat. 
benefice sb. ecclesiastical living 

OF. 
benethen: beneath AS beneoSan 
bente : grassy slope AS beonet, 

"a grass" 
benygne a. kindly OF benigne 



BENYGNELY- 



616 



— BIFOREN 



benygnely : lovingly 
benyngnytee: benignity OF be- 
nignite 

beo 3 pi. pr. be; cf. ben 

berafte 3 pt. s. bereft AS bireafian 

berd sb. beard ; forked berd] 
forked beards were the custom 
among the bourgeois of Chaucer's 
day ; make his berd] beguile him ; 
double berd] two beards F 1252 ; 
cf. Janus AS beard m. 

here sb. bear; beres poss. or pi. 
AS bera m. 

bere sb. bier ; cf. beere 

bare sb. pillow case ; cf. pilwebeer 
AS bere ''covering" 

bere, ber inf. bear, endure ; 1 pr. 
s ; 3 pr. s. subj. pierce ; bereth 
3 pr. s. ; bar 3 pt. s. ; bore, borne 
pp. ; bere on honde] pretend, 
"bluflf" AS beran 

berie inf. bury ; beryed pp. AS 
byrgan 

berkyng sb. barking AS beorcan 

Bernard: St. Bernard (1091-1153) 

Bernard: Bernardus Gordonius, 
professor of medicine at Mont- 
pellier, was a contemporary of 
Chaucer 

berne : barn AS bern 

berth 3 pr. s. beareth ; berth on 
honde] chargeth ; cf. bere 

Berwyk: a town in Northumber- 
land, on the Tweed 

berye sb. berry AS berie 

beryed pp. buried 

berynge: bearing, behavior 

beseche inf. beseech ME sechen 

besely, bisily: busily AS bisig 

besette inf. employ, bestow ; 3 pt. 
s. ; pp. ; beset pp. be + AS 
settan 

besey pp. beseen ; wel besey] good- 
looking, fair to see ; cf. see 

bespreynte -pp. sprinkled, bedewed 
AS besprengan 

beste sb. beast; bestis pi. OF 
beste 

besy : busy, anxious AS bysig 

besyede 3 pt. pi busied AS 
bysgian 

besyly : busily 

besynesse: business AS bysig + 
ness 



bet ad. better AS bet 

bet: better; go bet] go as rapidly 

as possible 
bete inf. amend; cf. beete. AS 

betan 
bete 1 pr. s. beat, hammer ; 3 pr. 

s. subj. ; beten, bet pp. AS 

beatan 
beter : better AS betra 
beth imp. pi. be 
bethenke 1 pr. s. refl. consider ; 

imp. ; bethoughte 1 pt. s. AS 

be]?encan 
Bethulia: home of Judith q. v. 
bethynke inf. imagine, contrive 
betraysed 3 pt. s. betrayed be -{- 

OF trair 
betre ad. better 
betten 3 pt. pi. kindle ; cf. beete 
betwex, betwixen, betwixsyn, bet- 

wixe : betwixt, between AS 

betweox 
betyde: happen ME be + tiden < 

AS tidan 
betyme : promptly be + time 
betyr: better 
Beute: Beauty 
bevere a. of beaver AS beofor 

m. (n) 
Beves: Sir Bevis of Hampton, a 

popular Middle English metrical 

romance 
bewayled 3 pt. s. bewailed ME be 

+ wailen 
bewreye inf. betray be + AS 

wregan "accuse" 
beye inf. buy AS bycgan 
bi: of, about AS bi 
bibledde: drenched with blood 

AS bi + bledan 
Biblis: Byblis, changed to a foun-_ 

tain on being rejected in love 
bicched: cursed (orig. uncert.) 
biclappe: catch AS clappan 
bidaffed pp. befooled (orig. un- 
cert. < dafif "fool") 
bidde : ask, command ; bit 3 pr. s. ; 

bade pt. s. ; byd imp. AS biddan 
bifalle inf. befall; pp.; bifil pt. 

impers. ; bifelle 3 pr. s. subj. AS 

befeallan 
bifore, biforn ad., prep, before AS 

beforan 
biforen ad. in the front of 



BIFORN— 



617 



— BLANKMANGER 



biforn a. forehanded, prudent 
bigamye: bigamy, marrying twice 

OF bigamie 
bigan 3 pt. s. began; cf. bigynne 

AS beginnan 
bigeten pp. begotten AS be + 

gitan 
bigile inf. beguile ; cf. begile ME 

be + OF guiler 
bigon: situated, beset; wel bigon] 

happy ; wo bigon] distressed AS 

bigan 
bigonne 2 pt. s. ; began pp. bord 

bigonne] sat at the head of the 

table; cf. bigynne 
bigynne inf. begin; bygynneth 3 

pr. s. ; bigonne 2 pt. s. ; bigan 

3 pt. s. ; bigonne pp. AS be- 
ginnan 
biheeste: promise AS behses 
biheete inf. promise; bihight pp. 

AS behatan 
bihight pp. promised ; cf. biheete 
biholde inf. behold; cf. beholde 
bihote 1 pr. s. promise 
bihoveth: it is necessary, fitting 

AS bihofian 
bihynde : behind 

biknowe inf. acknowledge, con- 
fess; biknewe 3 pt. pi. AS bi + 

cnawan 
bileeve: creed AS geleafa 
bileve: stay behind AS belsefan 
bille: bill, petition NorF bille > 

billet 
biloved pp. beloved AS be + 

lufian 
Bilyea: wife of Duellius ; she was 

silent about his defects 
biquethe 1 pr. s. bequeath; pp.; 

AS becwetSan "make a state- 
ment" 
biraft pp. bereft; cf. bireve 
bireve inf. bereave, deprive ; 

birafte 3 pt. s. bereft; biraft 

pp. AS bireafian 
biseged pp. besieged; cf. sege 
biseke 1 pr. s. beseech; biseken 

1 pr. pi. ; bisekynge p. ME be 

+ sechen 
bisette 3 pt. s. employed, used; 

cf. besette 
biseye pp. beseen, adorned ; yvel 



biseye] ill-appearing; cf. besey 

AS beseon 
bishrewe 1 pr. s. curse be + AS 

screawa "shrew-mouse" 
biside : near, beside ; hym bisides] 

around him, at hand AS be sidan 

dat. 
bisily : busily 
bismotered pp. stained, soiled 

ME bi + smot; cf. Sw smuts 

"dirt" 
bistad: ill-situated, troubled ME 

bisteden < Scan ; cf. AS stede 
bistowe: bestow bi -{- AS stow, 

"place" 
bistrood 3 pt. s. bestrode AS 

bestridan 
bisy a. busy AS bysig 
bisynesse: business 
bit: but AS butan 
bit 3 pr. s. biddeth; cf. bidde 
bitake 1 pr. s. commit AS be -}- 

ME taken 
biteche 1 pr. s. consign to AS 

bitsecan 
bitokneth 3 pr. s. signifies ME 

be + AS getacnian 
bitore: bittern OF butore 
bitrayseth 3 pr, s. betrays; 

bitraysed pp. OF trair 
bittre: bitter AS bitter 
bityde inf. betide, happen to; 3 

pr. s. subj. ; bitidde 3 pt. s. AS 

be + tidan 
bitynge: sharp AS bitan 
biwaillen inf. bewail; biwailled 

pp. ; cf. bewayled 
biwreye inf. reveal, betray be + 

AS wregan 
biyonde: beyond AS begeondan 
bladdre: bladder AS blaedre f. 
blak: black; a man in blak] John 

of Gaunt, in black for the death 

of his duchess, Blaunche AS 

blac, blaec 
blakeberyed: a blackberrying, wan- 
dering 
blaked pp. turned black 
blame sb. censure OF blasmer 
blame inf. condemn ; blamyd pp. 
blankmanger sb. a compound of 

capon, rice, milk, sugar and 

almonds, named from its color 

OF. 



BLASPHEME— 



618 



— BOREL 



blaspheme sb. blasphemy Lat 

blasphemare 
blasphemour: blasphemer 
bleched pp. bleached AS blsecan 
bledde 3 pt. s., pi. bled AS 

bledan 
Blee: Blean Forest, near Canter- 
bury 
blent 3 pr. s. blinds; pp. AS 

blindan 
blered pp. bleared, dimmed ME 

bleren "to become watery" 
blerying of an eye : cheating, trick- 
ing 
blew a. blue OF bleu 
blew pt. s. blowe AS blawan 
bleynte 3 pt. s. blenched, drew 

back AS blencan "deceive" 
blisful a. happy, bliss-bestowing, 

helpful AS bH>s + ful 
blisse inf. bless AS bletsian 
blody; bloody AS bl5dig 
blondren 1 pr. pi. blunder Norw 

blundra "shut the eyes" 
bloode: blood AS blod n. 
blosmy : full of blossoms AS 

bl5sma + y, ig 
blowe inf. blow ; blowe, blowen 
pp. blown, proclaimed by her- 
• aids AS blawan 
blynd: blind AS blind 
blysse: bliss, joy AS bH>s f. 
blythe: glad AS bli>e 
bly thely : gladly 
blyve : quickly, soon ; as blyve] 

very soon ME be + lyve 
bobance: brag, boast OF 
Bobbe-up-and-down: a village near 

Canterbury 
bocher: butcher OF bochier 
bode sb. delay < abood; cf. abyde 
bode sb. foreboding AS bod n. 

message 
bode pp. ■ bidden ; cf. bede 
body: body, corpse AS bodig 
bodyn pp. bidden ; cf. bidde 
Boece: Boethius "De Consolatione 
Philosophise," a Latin work in 
prose and verse, popular in the 
Middle Ages. Boethius (Boetius) 
lived 475-524 A. D. He also 
wrote a treatise on music. He 
was put to death by Theodoric 



boght pp. bought; boghte agayne] 

redeemed ; cf. bye 
Boghtoun under Blee: Boughton- 
under-Blean, a village five miles 
from Canterbury 
boille inf. boil, cook OF boillir 
boistous: loud, rude < OF bois- 

teus(?) 
boistously : loudly 
bok: book AS boc f. 
Boke of the Leoun: a lost work 

of Chaucer's 
bokeler: buckler, a small round 

shield OF bucler 
bokelynge : buckling 
boket: bucket OF boket < AS 

buc pitcher 
bolde : to grow bold ; cf. AS beal- 

dian 
boldely : boldly 
boldenesse : courage 
boles: bulls AS bula(?) 
Boloigne: Boulogne, France, on 
English Channel, visited by pil- 
grims because of an image of 
the Virgin 
Boloigne: Bologne in Italy 
bombleth: makes a booming noise 

ME < boonen < Du(?) 
bonde s. bond OF bande 
bonde pp. bound ; cf. bynde 
bone: boon, request Icel bon AS 

ben f. 
bontee: generosity OF. 
boon: bone AS ban n. 
boond 3 pt. s. bound ; cf. bynde 
boor: the Erymanthian boar slain 

by Hercules AS bar m. 
boot sb. boat AS bat m. ^ 

boot 3 pt. s. bit ; cf. byte 
boote : help, remedy AS bot f. 
bootes pi. boots OF bote 
boras sb. borax OF < Arab 
bord sb. board, plank, side of 
ship, table ; bord bigonne] sat 
at the head of the table; borde 
AS bord n. 
bord inf. to board OF aborder 
bordit pp. jested OF bourder 
bore pp. born ; cf. here 
borel sb. coarse garments OF 

burel "coarse woollen cloth" 
borel a. rude; borel men] lay- 



BORES— 



619 



— BROSTEN 



bores: boars; poss. AS bar m. 

borne pp. bere; cf. bere 

borowe, borwe : security ; seynt 

John to borowe] St. John for 

security (protection on journey) 

AS borg m. 
borwe inf. borrow AS borgian 
host sb. boast AF host 
bote sb. good; for bote ne bale] 

for good nor for ill AS bot f. 
hotel: bottle; a hotel hey] bundle 

of hay OF hotel 
boterflye: butterfly AS butere + 

fleoge f. 
bothe pi., poss. pi. both AS ba, ]?a 
botme : bottom AS botm m. 
bouk: trunk of the body AS hue 

m. 
bounden pp. bound; cf. binde 
boundes : bounds AF bounde 
bountee: kindness, generosity OF 

bonte 
bounteous: bountiful OF bontif 
hour, bouris pi. bower AS bur m. 
bourde: joke OF. 
bow, bowys pi. bough AS bog m. 
bowe sb. bow AS boga m. 
bowen inf. bow ; boweth 2 imp. s. ; 

bowynge p. AS bugan 
bowgh: bough, branch AS bog 

m. 
bown: ready, prepared Icel buinn 
boxtree : symbolical for paleness 

AS box m. 
boydekyns: daggers, bodkins Gael 

orig.(?) 
boyste: box OF boiste 
bracer: a leather guard to protect 

the arm from the bowstring OF. 
Bradwardyn: Proctor at Oxford 

1325, afterwards chancellor 
brak 3 pt. s. broke ; cf. breke 
bras: brass AS braes n. 
brast 3 pt. s. subj. would burst ; 

cf. bresten 
braunches: boughs OF branche 
brawen: brawm of the boar OF 

braon 
brawnes : muscles 
brayed pp. started; cf. breyde 
brayn: brain AS braegen n. 
brede: breadth AS brsedu m'. 
breech: breeches AS brec, s. of 

broc f. 



breede, breed: bread AS bread n. 
breek 3 pt. s. subj. broke ; cf. 

breke 
breem : bream, a fresh water fish 

OF bresme 
breeth: breath AS brseS m. 
breke inf. break, break off, go to 

pieces; brake, broke 3 pt. s. ; 

breek 3 pt. s. subj. AS brecan 
brekers : breakers, trespassers 
brekke: flaw, wrinkle AS brece(?) 
brembulflour: flower of the bramble 

AS brembel m. 
breme: furiously, famously AS 

breme 
bren sb. bran OF. 
brenne, bren inf. burn ; 3 pr. pi. ; 

brendest 2 pt. s. ; brende, brente 

3 pt. s. ; brend, brent pp. AS 

baernan 
brennynge sb. burning 
brennyngly : ardently 
breres: briars AS brser f. 
brest sb. breast; breste. AS 

breost n. 
bresten inf. break, burst; brest 

3 pr. s. ; bruste, brosten 3 pt. pi. ; 

breste 3, pr. s. subj ; brast 3 pt. 

s. subj. AS berstan 
bretful a. brimful AS brerd 

"brim" + ful 
bretherhood: brotherhood AS 

broSor + hood 
breyde 3 pt. s. cast; brayed pp. 

AS bregdan 
brist: breast; cf. brest 
bristplate: breastplate OF plate 
Britaigne : Brittany, Bretagne in 

France 
Britons: Britons, the Welsh 
Brixseyde: Briseis, beloved by 

Achilles, and cause of his quarrel 

with Agamemnon (Iliad I) 
broche : brooch OF. 
brod sb. brood AS brod f. 
brode a. broad AS brad * 

brode ad. broadly, plainly 
broght pp. brought; cf. bryngen 
broille inf. broil AF broiller 
broke 3 pt. s. broke ; cf . breke 
bronde : brand, fire brand AS 

brand m, 
brosten, broste 3 pi. pt. burst ; cf. 

bresten 



BROTELNESSE— 



620 



— BYNDE 



brotelnesse : frailty ; cf. brutelnesse 
brother : brother ; brother, brothres 

poss. s. AS broSor 
brouded pp. embroidered OF 

brosder 
broughte 3 pt. s. ; broughten 3 pt. 

pi. brought ; cf. bryngen 
brouke : enjoy the use of AS 

brucan 
broun, broune a. brown AS 

brun 
browdynge : embroidery 
browes: brows AS bru, pi. brua, 

bruwa f. 
browken 3 pr. pi. subj. enjoy ; cf. 

brouke 
browhte 3 pt. s. brought 
broyded pp. braided OF brosder 

+ AS bregdan, by confusion 
Brugges: Bruges, city in Belgium 
bruste: 3 pt. pi. burst; cf. bresten 
brustles : bristles 
brutelnesse : instability, **brittle- 

ness" ME brotel < AS breotan 

"break'* + nesse 
Brutes Albyoun: Brutus Albion, 

England, founded according to 

legend by Brutus 
Brutus Cassius; an error by 

Chaucer for Brutus and Cassius, 

the conspirators (the symbol & 

being probably omitted in Vin- 
cent of Beauvais, Chaucer's 

source) 
bryddis: birds AS bridd m. 
brydel sb. bridle, rule AS bridel 
brydeleth 3 pr. s. bridles, governs 

in love 
bryghte: bright AS berht, beorht 
brymstoon sb. brimstone, sulphur 

ME brenstoon ^'burning stone" 
bryngen inf. bring; broughte, 

browhte 3 pt. s. ; broughten 3 pt. 

pi. ; broght pp. AS bringan 
brynke:" brink Icel brekka(?) 

''crest of hill" 
brynne : burn ; cf. brenne 
buk, bukke: buck, so-called from 

the sixth year on AS bucca m. 
bulles: bulls, papal edicts Lat 

bulla "seal" 
bulte 3 pt. s. built AS byldan 
bulte it to the bren: sift to the 

bran OF bulter 



Burdeux: Bordeaux: Burdeux- 

ward: the region of Bordeaux 
burdoun sb. burden of song, bass 

accompaniment OF bourdon 
burel : of rough cloth ; hence, rude ; 

cf. borel 
burgeys sb. burgess OF burgeis 
burghes: towns AS burg f. 
burned pp. burnished OF burnir 
Burnel the Asse : Burnellus seu 
speculum stultorum (The Mir- 
ror of Fools) by Nigel Wireker 
about 1200 
burthe sb. birth Icel byr^ f. 
burye inf. bury AS byrgan 
buryeles: burial-places < AS 

byrigels, tomb 
Busirus: Busiris, a king of Egypt, 
slain by Hercules, confused by 
Chaucer with Diom.edes, king of 
Thrace, of whom the story of 
the mare is told B 3293 
buskes: bushes Scan busk 
bussh: bush; bussh unbrent] the 
burning, but unconsumed, bush 
which Moses saw was consid- 
ered a symbol of Mary's constant 
virginity 
but conj. unless, except AS butan 
but ad. but, only ; prep, without 
but if: unless 

butiller: butler OF butuiller 
buxomly: obediently AS buhsum 

+ lie 
buxhumnesse : obedient spirit 
by: for, concerning, by the example 

of, with reference to 
by and by: side by side 
by ony weye : in every way 
bycause: because ME bi -j- cause 
byd imper. order; cf. bidde 
byde inf. wait AS bidan 
bye inf. buy, pay for ; bie 1 pr. s. 

AS bycgan 
byfore, byforen: before AS beforan 
byheste : behest, promise ; pers. 
byhove inf. need AS bihufian 
byjaped pp. befooled, tricked OF 

japper **yap" 
byldere : builder, used in building 
byle: bill AS bile m. 
bynde inf. bind ; bynt 3 pr. s. ; 
boond 3 pt. s. ; bonde pp. ; 
bounden pp. AS bindan 



BYNDYNG— 



621 



— CARRENARE 



byndyng sb. binding 

bynne: bin AS binn 

bynt 3 pr. s. binds; cf. bynde 

byte inf. bite, take hold ; bytith 3 

pr. s. ; boot 3 pt. s. AS bitan 
bythoght pp. bethought AS 

bi]?encan 
byttyrnesse: bitterness 
byynge: buying 



caas sb. chance, misfortune ; pi. 

cases of law OF cas 
cacche, cachche inf. win ; caughte, 

kaught 1 pt. s., pi. ; kaught, kaute 

pp. NorF cachier 
Cacus: a famous giant, robber and 

cannibal, strangled by Hercules 
Cadmus: the founder of Thebes; 

Cadme 
cake: round, flat loaf of bread 

Icel kaka 
calandier: calendar, record OF 

< Lat. 
Calistopee: Callisto; cf. Calyxte 
calle: caul, close cap or net OF 

cale 
calle inf., 3 pt. s. call; callid 2 

pt. pi. Icel kalla AS ceallian*' 
Calyxte : Callisto, nymph of Diana, 

ancestress of the Arcadians, 

turned into a bear (the star 

Arctus) for her infidelity to 

chastity 
camaille: camel NorF camel 
Cambalo: son of Cambynskan 
Cambynskan : Genghis Khan, grand- 
father of Kublai Khan 
Campaneus: Capaneus, one of the 

Seven against Thebes 
Canacee: Canace, sister and mis- 
tress of Macareus (Ovid) 
Canacee: daughter of Cambynskan 
Cananee : Canaanitish 
Candace : queen of India, beloved 

of Alexander 
^ candel: candle AS candel 
(i Cane: Cana, town in Galilee, John 

ii. 1 
canel-boon: collar bone OF canel 

"channel" 
canoun : the "Canon in Medicine," 

a work by Avicenna 



cantel: portion ONorF cantel 

capitayn: captain OF capitaine 

Capitolie : the Capitol in Rome 

Cappaneus : Capaneus, one of the 
seven heroes who besieged 
Thebes; killed by a thunderbolt 
as he was scaling the wall 

cappe : cap ; sette hir aller cappe] 
cheated them all AS caeppe 

capul: nag Icel kapall(?) 

cardyacle: heart-spasm Lat. 

care : care, trouble ; a sory care] 
a misfortune AS caru f. 

careyne, carayne: carcase, carrion 
OF caroigne 

carf 3 pt. s. carved. Carving was 
one of the duties of the squire 

carie inf. carry ; caryeden 3 pt. pi. ; 
caried pp. ONorF carier 

cariynge: carrying 

carl: churl, low fellow AS ceorl 
m. 

Carole inf. dance to the accom- 
paniment of a song sung by the 
dancer OF. 

caroles pi. a dance with singing 
OF. 

carolewyse-: like a carol 

carpe inf. chatter, talk Icel karpa 

carpenteris poss. carpenter's 

ONorF carpentier 

Carrenare: Various attempts have 
been made to expain the "dry 
sea" and the "Carrenare." The 
former has been explained va- 
riously as the Sahara, the "Grav- 
elly Sea" of Mandeville, the 
variable Lake of Czirknitz, and 
the "Adrye Se" or Adriatic. 
Carrenare is generally explained 
as the Gulf of Carnaro. J. L. 
Lowes has collected good evi- 
dence to show that the dry sea 
is the Lop Nor (sand lake) or 
Desert of Gobi in Asia, near 
which was situated a Kara Nor 
(Black Lake). Both of these 
are close to the old overland 
caravan route from China, and 
are found on medieval maps. 
To go "hoodeles" there would 
be a test of love, indeed. Such 
tests of love are a common con- 
vention in Chaucer's time 



CARTAGE— 

Cartage : Carthage, ancient city on 
the African shore of the Medi- 
terranean 

carte: cart, chariot AS craet n. 

cartere : carter, charioteer 

caryeden 3 pt. pi carried 

cas : luck, chance, case 

Cassandra: the daughter of King 
Priam, had the power of proph- 
ecy, but also a curse which pre- 
vented belief in her prophecies. 
Therefore she had the sorrow of 
foreseeing all the misfortune of 
the city without being able to 
use her knowledge and prevent 
the coming evils 

cast sb. plan, occasion Icel kast 

caste 1 pr. s., 3 pt. s. cast, con- 
jecture, purpose, plan ; casteth 
3 pr. s. ; cast pp. ; with hys on 
ye caste up] looked up Icel 
kasta 

castel: castle; longe castel: a ref- 
erence to Lancaster, John of 
Gaunt ("seynt Johan") , earl of 
Richmond ("ryche hille"), and 
husband of Blanche ("with walles 
whyte") AS castel 

castigacioun : punishment Lat 

castigatio 

casuelly: by accident OF casuel 

catel sb. chattel, property OF. 

caughte 3 pt. s. caught ; cf. cacche 

Caunturbury : Canterbury 

cause : cause, purpose, plea, reason ; 
cause why] there's a reason OF. 

causeles: without reason 

caytyf sb., caytayves pi. prisoner, 
wretch OF caitif 

caytyf a. wretched 

Cecile, Cecilie : Cecilia, Christian 
martyr, died at Rome 230 A. D. ; 
cf. heven for explanation of ety- 

' mologies 

ceint sb. girdle OF. 

celerer: cellarer OF cellerier 

celle sb. a small monastery under 
the control of another monas- 
tery ; celle fantastik : the part of 
the brain whence fancies arose; 
the brain was divided into three 
cells, each the seat of a different 
faculty OF celle 



622 — CHAMBRE 



cely: silly, innocent, poor AS 
sselig 

Cenobia: Zenobia, queen of Pal- 
myra 

centaure, centaury: an herb OF 
centorye 

Centauros ace. pi. Centaurs, fabu- 
lous half-man, half-horse 

centence: sentence, matter OF. 

centre: fulcrum, pivot OF. 

centris: centres, the small brass 
projection on the rete of astro- 
labe, denoting position of fixed 
star (Sk.) 

ceptre: sceptre OF. 

Cerberus: the three-headed watch- 
dog of Hades 

cercled pp. extended in a circle 

cercles: circles OF. 

cerial: a kind of oak Lat cerreus 

ceriously: minutely Lat ceriose, 
seriose 

certeinly ad. certainly OF certein 

certes, certis: truly OF. 

certeyn a. certain, sure OF cer- 
tein 

certeyn ad. certainly, surely 

ceruce sb. a cosmetic made from 
white lead OF ceruse 

cerymonyes: observances of forms 
of courtship OF ceremonie 

Cesar: Julius Caesar 

Cesar: Caesar, the emperor; Augus- 
tus L 592 

cese, cesse inf. cease OF cesser 

cetewale: valerian, an herb OF 
citoual 

chaar: chariot OF. 

chaast: chaste OF chaste 

chaastnesse: chastity OF chast 

chace inf. chase, hunt, drive OF 
chacer 

chaffare: bargaining, business AS 
chap price + faru f. business 

chaffare inf. bargain 

chaier: chariot OF chaiere 

ChalAsye: Chaldaea 

chalenge inf. claim; chalange 1 
pr. s. OF. 

chamberere: chambermaid OF. 

chamberleyn: chamberlain OF 
chambrelenc 

chambre: chamber; marriage-cham- 



CHAMPARTIE— 



623 



-CHIRCHE-DORE 



ber, marriage ; chambre of pare- 
mentz] presence-chamber OF. 

champartie : equality, division of 
power* OF. 

champioun sb. champion OF. 

chanon: canon, member of religious 
order, like monks, but under dif- 
ferent rule 

chaped pp. provided with metal 
mountings OF chape 

chapeleyne : chaplain ; the ofifice is 
held by a nun OF. 

chapiteris: chapters OF. 

chapman : merchant AS ceap + 
man 

chapmanhode : trade, business 

charbocle: carbuncle OF char- 
boncle 

chare: chariot OF char 

charg, charge sb. care, trouble, 
responsibility OF. 

charite : charity, love OF. 

Charles Olyver : Charlemagne's 
Olyver, a peer of France, brother- 
in-arms of Roland 

chasted pp. taught OF chastier 

chasteyn: chestnut OF chastaigne 

chastise inf. discipline OF. 

chastitee : chastity OF. 

chaunce : chance, incident OF. 

chaunge sb. exchange OF. 

chaunge inf. change 

chaungeable a. changeable, fickle 

chauntepleure : half joy, half sad- 
ness, a song of alternate spirits 
OF. 

chauntery sb. chantry, an endow- 
ment to pay a priest to sing daily 
masses for the soul of the giver 
of the endowment, or of some 
one designated by him OF 
chanterie 

chayer: chair, palanquin OF 
chaiere 

cheep: market; greet cheep] low 
price, cheap (in modern sense) 
AS ceap m. 

cheere sb. cheer, manner, behavior, 
countenance OF chere 

chees 2 imp. choose ; cf. chese 

chefe a. chief OF chef 

chek: "check!" in chess; check and 
mate] checkmate, a term in chess 
denoting that the king cannot 



be moved. This ends the game 
OF eschec 

cheke : cheeke-bone ; pi. cheeks 
AS ceare f. 

chekkere s. chess-board OF. 

Chepe: Cheapside (market street) 
London 

cher, chere : manner, look ; cf. 
cheere 

cherisseth 3 pr, s. cherishes ; cher- 
ish imp. s. OF cheris- < cherir 

cherl : churl, base fellow, menial ; 
cherles poss. used as ad. churlish 
AS ceorl 

cherlyssh : churlish 

cherubynnes poss. pi. the cheru- 
bim were generally painted red 
in medieval pictures 

cheryse inf. cherish OF cheris- 

chese inf. choose; imp.; ches 1, 3 
pt. s. ; chose pp. AS ceosan 

chesse : game of chess OF. 

cheste: cofifin AS cest 

chesynge : choosing 

chevache : journey a-horseback OF 
chevauchie 

chevetayn : chieftain, leader OF 
chevetain 

chevise refl. do for herself OF 
chevir 

chevyssaunce : contract for borrow- 
ing money, note OF chevissance 
"accomplishment" 

cheyne : chain ; cheynes pi. Zenobia 
was so weighed down with gold 
chains and gems that she could 
scarcely walk B 3554 OF 
chaene 

Chichivache: the lean cow which, 
in the old fable, lived upon 
patient wives, and in consequence 
was always very lean OF. 

chidde 1 pt. s. chid ; cf. chyde 

chiere : mien; cf. cheere OF. 

chiertee: regard, good-will OF. 

chiknes pi. chickens AS cicen 

Child, Childe : a title for a squire 
or a knight, as Childe Harold 
AS cild 

childely a. childish, immature 

childhede: childhood 

chirch, chirche : church AS cirice 

chirche-dore : church-door ; couples 
were married in the church-porch, 



CHIRKYNG— 



624 



— CLITERMYSTRA 



and then entered the church for 
mass 

chirkyng : harsh noise, creaking AS 
cearcian 

chiste : chest AS cist 

chivalrie : knighthood, with its cus- 
toms and ideals; knightly prow- 
ess; group of knights OF. 

choghe, chough : crow ; cf. AS ceo 

chose pp. chosen ; cf. chese 

choys: choice OF choix 

chuk: cluck, clucking noise 

chukketh 3 pr. s. clucks 

chyde : chide, scold ; chidde 1 pt. s. 
AS cidan 

chymbe: the rim of a barrel, stave 
ends AS cim 

chymbe inf. chime OF cymbe 
NF chimbe 

chyn: chin AS cin 

chy vachee : exploit a-horseback, 
military expedition OF che- 
vauchie 

Cibella: Cybele, Great Mother of 
the Gods 

Cilinios: Mercury, born on Mt. 
Cyllene in Greece 

Cipion: cf. Scipioun 

Cipre : Cyprus 

cipress, cipresse: cypress, the sym- 
bol of mourning OF cypres 

Circes: Circe, the sorceress who 
turned Odysseus's companions 
into swine by an enchanted cry. 
Odysseus forced her to restore 
his companions 

circumstaunce : ceremony OF. 

Cirea: Cirra, a town near Parnas- 
sus 

Cirus: Cyrus, king of Persia 

ciser: cider OF sisre 

citee: city OF cite 

Cithe, Cithea: Scythia 

Citherea: .a name for Venus, who 
v/as fabled to have risen from 
the sea near the island of 
Cythera 

Citheroun : Cithseron or Cythera, 
island sacred to Venus 

citole: a psaltery, a stringed instru- 
ment OF. 

citryn a. citron, yellow OF citrin 

cladde 3 pt. s. clothes; cledde, 
clothed pp. AS (North) clsedde 



clamb 3 pt. s. climbed; cf. clymben 

clamour: clamor OF. 

clappe: noise, chatter; cf. Icel 

klappa 
clappeth 3 pr. s. ; imp. pi. chatter 
clappyng : chattering 
clariounes: clarions, trumpets OF 

clarion 
clarre: wine mixed with honey and 

spices, and strained "clear" AF 

claret 
clateren 3 pr. pi clatter; clatereden 

3 pt. pi. ; cf. AS clatrung, a rat- 
tle 
claterynge : clattering 
Claudius: Marcus Claudius, the 

**cherl" of Appius Claudius 
Claudius: the second emperor of 

Rome 268-270 
Claudyan : Claudius Claudianus, 

author of "De Raptu Proser- 

pinas," about A. D. 400 
clawe inf. scratch, rub, stroke; 

clawed 3 pt. s. AS clawu f. 
cledde pp. covered 
cleer, cleere: clear, unspotted OF 

cler 
cleernesse : brightness, glory 
cleft 3 pt. s. split; cloven pp. AS 

clifian 
clemence: clemency, pity OF. 
clene: clean, smooth, neat AS 

clsene 
clenly : cleanly 
clennesse: cleanness, purity 
dense inf. cleanse AS claensian 
Cleopataras : Cleopatra 
clepen inf. call ; clepith, clepeth 

3 pr. s. ; clepe 3 pr. pi. ; cleped 

pp. AS cleopian 
cler, clere a. clear OF cler 
clere ad. clearly 
clerer : clearer 

clergeon: chorister, choir-boy OF. 
clergy e: learning OF. 
clerk: the term for a student in 

university, a scholar preparing 

for the priesthood, a learned 

man, or a man in holy orders 

AS clere 
Cliopatre: Cleopatra, queen of 

Egypt 
clippe: cut Icel klippa 
Clitermystra : Clytemnestra, wife of 



CLOBBED— 



625 



— COMPLEXIOUN 



Agamemnon, slew him with the 

help of .Egisthus, her lover 
clobbed: clubbed 
cloistre: met, enclosure; cf. cloystre 

OF. 
cloke: cloak OF. 
clokke: clock; at the clokke] 

o'clock OF cloke 
clombe 1 pt. s. climbed; clombe, 

clomben pp. ; cf. clymben 
cloos inf. close; closed pp. OF 

clos < clore 
clooth: cloth, clothing; clooth of 

Tars] a kind of silk AS claS m. 
clooth-makyng sb. cloth-making, 

an important industry in Western 

England 
clos: close, yard OF clos 
clote-leef: leaf of burdock AS 

elate 
clothe : cloth 

clothered: clotted AS clott 
cloumbe pp. climbed 
clout: bit of cloth; cloutes pi. rags 

AS clut m. 
cloven pp. cleft, split 
clowde: cloud AS cliid m. 
clowe-gylofre : clove OF clou 

"nail" 
cloysterer: a retiring, secluded 

monk 
cloystre sb. cloister OF cloistre 
clyiTes pi. cliffs AS chf n. 
clymben inf. climb; clymbeth 3 pr. 

s. ; clombe 1 pt. s. ; clamb 3 pt. 

s. ; clomben, cloumbe pp. AS 

climb an 
clymbyng: climbing, ambition 
clynkyn inf. ring; cf. Fries klinken 
clynkyng: jingling 
cod: bag, belly AS cod m. 
cofere, cofre : box, coffer, coffin 

OF cofre 
cok: cock (to awaken us) AS cocc 
cokewold: cuckold, deceived hus- 
band OF cucualt 
cokkel: cockle, a weed AS coccel 
Cokkes: slang for Goddes 
cokkow: cuckoo OF cucu 
colblak : coal-black AS col 
colde: cold, fatal AS ceald 
coldes inf. make cold AS cealdian 
•cole sb. coal AS col n. 



cole a. cool, without imaginative 
fire AS col 

colera : choler, with blood made 
rede colera Lat cholera 

colered pp. collared, decked with 
a collar OF coler 

colerik: choleric, hot tempered OF 
cholerique 

colfox: fox tipped with black, as 
with coal 

collacioun : conference OF colla- 
tion 

collect yeeris: anni collect!, a term 
for periods of years in round 
numbers (20, 40, 60, etc.) 

collusioun: plot OF. 

Coloigne: Cologne, where the bones 
of the three Wise Men of the 
East were said to be preserved 

colour, coloure : color, pretense ; 
under colour] in the guise of, 
masked under P 66 ; colours : fine 
phrases E 16; colouris pi. OF. 

colpons: portions, bunches OF. 

coltes : colt's, frisky AS colt 

comande, comaunde inf. command, 
order OF comander 

comandement: command 

comandour: director 

comaundynge : commanding 

come sb. coming < AS cyme 

come inf. come ; cometh 3 pr. s. ; 
come pt. s., pp., pr. s. subj. ; 
cometh imp. < AS cuman 

comelely ad. handsomely, grace- 
fully AS cymlic 

comelynesse : comeliness, beauty 

comende inf. commend OF com- 
ender 

commissioun sb. commission 

commune sb. the commons; com- 
moners pi. OF. 

commune, comoun a. common ; 
in commune] commonly 

compaas, compas: circle, orbit OF. 

compaignye, companye : company, 
group, lovers OF compaignie 

comparisoun: comparison OF. 

compassioun: compassion OF. 

compassyng: contrivance 

compeer: comrade, gossip OF 
compere 

compilatour: compiler OF. 

complexioun: complexion OF. 



COMPLEYNE— 



626 



— COOTE 



compleyne inf. complain ; 2 pr. pi. 

compleynt: complaint, lament OF 
compleint 

composicioun : agreement; pi. elab- 
orate arrangements OF. 

compowned pp. constructed, adapt- 
ed Lat componere 

comprehende inf. understand, ap- 
preciate ; comprehendid pp. Lat 
comprehendere 

comune a. accustomed (to) ; cf. 
commune 

comunly : commonly 

comyn, cumin: a spice OF cumin 

comyn inf. come ; comyth 3 pr. s. ; 
cf. come AS cuman 

concluden inf. conclude, include 
Lat concludere 

concubyn sb. concubine OF con- 
cubine 

condescende inf. stoop to OF 
condescendre 

condicion, condicioun : condition, 
stipulation, character OF. 

condicioneel: conditional OF con- 
ditionel 

confedred pp. confederated, united 
Lat confoederatus 

confermed pp. confirmed, decreed ; 
confermeth imp. pi. OF con- 
fermer 

confessioun sb. confession ; power 
of confessioun] the right to hear 
confession OF. 

confiture : confection, compound 
OF. 

conf ort : comfort OF. 

conforteth 3 pr. s. comfo/teth ; 
conforten pr. pi. 

confus: confused OF. 

congregacioun: assemblage OF. 

conjoynynge sb. conjunction 

conqueredein 3 pt. pi. conquered 
OF conquerre 

conquerour: conqueror OF. 

conquerynge sb. conquest 

consaille 1 pr. s. counsel OF con- 
seil 

conscience: pity, sympathy OF. 

consecrat: consecrated Lat conse- 
cratus 

conseil sb. council, counsel, secret 
counsel, secret, counsellor OF. 



conseille inf. counsel OF con- 

seiller 
conseillyng sb. counsel 
consentant of: accomplices in OF. 
consente inf. agree to OF con- 

senter 
conserve 2 imp. s. preserve OF. 
conseyve inf. understand OF con- 

ceiver 
considere 1 pr. s., imp. consider 

OF considerer 
consistorie: place of judgment OF. 
consolacioun : consolation OF. 
conspiracie : plot OF. 
I constable : governor ; constablesse 
I f. OF conestable 
I Constance: constancy OF. 

Constantyn : Constantinus Afer, a 

monk of Monte Cassino, founder 

of school of Salermo, eleventh 

century 
constellacioun : constellation OF. 
constreyneth 3 pr. s. constrains; 

constreyned pp. OF constraindre 
contek: strife OF contec 
contenance, contenaunce : counte- 

naunce, demeanor; sign OF. 
continued: continual OF. 
contraire, contrarie sb. adversary, 

opposite OF. 
contrarien inf. oppose AF con- 
trarie 
contrarius : opposite 
contrarye a. contrary 
centre, contree, contrey: country, 

district OF contree 
contynue: encourage, further OF 

continuer 
converte : turn, change ; convert- 

ynge p. OF convertir 
convoyen inf. convey ; convoyen 

his mateere] give his informa- 
tion; convoyed pp. accompanied 

OF conveier 
conyes: rabbits OF conil 
coold a. cold AS ceald 
coomb: comb (of a cock) AS 

camb 
coome 3 pr. s. subj. ; cf. come 
coomen 3 pt. pi. came 
coost, cost: coast, countryside; 

by the cost] along the coast OF 

coste 
coote: coat OF cote 



COP— 627 

cop sb. top w!\S cop 

cope sb. priest's cloak AS cape 

f.(?) 
coppe: cup, measure; withouten 

coppe] without stint AS cuppe f. 
corage : heart, spirit, disposition 

OF. 
corageus: courageous OF corageos 
corde sb. cord OF. 
Cordewane : Cordovan leather OF 

cordewan 
cordial: gold, in the form of aurum 

potabile, was used in medicine. 

Chaucer's play upon words is 

obvious Lat cordialis 
cormeraunt: cormorant OF cor- 

merant 
come : corn, grain (not the Indian 

corn of Amxcrica), wheat, best 

part ; pi. fields of corn AS 

corn n. 
corniculer: secretary Lat corni- 

culer 
corny: strong of corn or malt 
corone : garland Lat. 
coroned pp. crowned OF coroner 
coroune: crown OF corone 
corowne : crown 
corps: corpse OF. 
corpus: body; corpus dominus : for 

corpus domini, the Lord's body 
correccioun: correction, punishment 

OF. 
corrumpable: corruptible OF cor- 

rompable 
corrupcioun: corruption OF. 
corrupteth pr. s. becomes corrupt ; 

corrupt pp. Lat. 
cors: corpse OF. 
corsed pp. accursed AS cursian 
Corynne: Corinna, Ovid's mistress, 

celebrated in his "Amores," the 

source of "Anelida and Arcite" 
cost: choice, condition; nedes cost] 

of necessity OF cost 
costage : cost, expense OF. 
costes for to quite : to pay expenses 
coste : inf. ; pt. s. cost OF coster 
cosyn : cousin OF cosin 
cotage : cottage AS cot + -age 
cote sb. coat OF. 
cote : cot, cottage, dungeon AS 

cote 
cote-armure, cote-armour: the coat 



— COYN 



or vest worn over the armor, 
embroidered with the knight's 
armorial bearmgs 

couche sb. bed OF. 

couche inf. cower, lie, set ; 
couchede 3 pt. s. set in order; 
couched pp. laid, studded, beset 
OF coucher 

coude pt. s. could ; cf. konne 

counseyl sb. counsel ; cf. conseil 

counted, counte pt. s. counted, 
cared OF conter 

countenaunce: looks, facial expres- 
sion; OF contenance 

counter, countour: one who counts, 
mathematician Du 435 ; abacus, 
or counting board Du 436 ; ac- 
countant or auditor A 359 

counterfete, countrefete inf. coun- 
terfeit OF contrefait pp. 

countesse: countess OF. 

countretaille : at the countretaille] 
in reply OF contretaille 

countyrpletyd pp. pleaded against 
OF contre + plaidier 

cours : course, orbit, w^ay, course 
(of 2c meal) OF. 

courseres: coursers, war-horses 
OF coursier 

courtepy sb. short coarse cloak 
Du kort "short" + pije "coarse 
cloth" 

couthe 1 pt. s. could, knew; 
known pp. 

coveiteth : covets ; cf. coveten AF 
coveiter 

coveitise, coveityse, coveytyse : 
covetousness, greed OF coveitise 

covenable : natural, proper, fit OF. 

covenant sb. agreement ; coven- 
antz pi. OF. 

covent: convent OF. 

coverchief: kerchief or head cov- 
ering OF couvrechef 

coveten inf. covet; coveiteth pr. s. 
OF coveiter 

covyne sb. deceitful agreement of 
two men against a third ; covin 
(law term) conspiracy OF covin 
\ cow: chough, jackdaw; cf. AS ceof 
I cowardye : cowardice OF couardie 
I cowntenaunce : appearance OF. 
' coyn, coyne: coin OF coin, coign 



CRACCHYNGE— 



628 



— CURTEIS 



cracchynge: scratching orig. un- 

cert. ; cf. MS scratten 
cradel sb. cradle AS cradol 
craft, crafte sb. skill, cunning, art, 

profession, trade AS craeft 
craftier: more crafty- 
crafty : crafty, skilful 
craumpisshed: cramped, paralyzed 

OF crampe 
creacioun: creation OF creation 
creance: belief, faith, object of 

belief OF creance 
creat pp. created Lat creatus 
creatour: Creator OF creatour 
creest: crest OF creste 
creature: creature, person OF. 
Creon: tyrant of Thebes 
crepe inf. creep ; crepeth 3 pr. s. ; 

crepte 3 pt. s. ; cropen pp. AS 

creopan 
Cresus: Croesus, king of Lydia, 

famed for his wealth, and for 

his unhappy downfall 
crewel: cruel OF cruel 
creweltee: cruelty OF cruelte 
cri sb. cry OF cri 
crien inf. cry, cry for; crien 3 pr. 

pi. ; crye 2 pr pi. ; cridestow 2 

pt. s. did you cry; cride, cried 

3 pt. s. ; criden, crieden, criedyn, 

crydon, cryede 3 pt. pi. ; crie imp. 

OF crier 
Crisippus: Chrysippus, name of 

some Greek philosopher, men- 
tioned by Jerome 
crisp, crispe: curly AS crisp 
Crisseyde: **Troilus and Criseyde," 

Chaucer's poem 
cristal stones: glass cases 
Cristemasse: Christmas AS cristes 

maesse 
cristen, cristene a. Christian AS 

cristen 
cristendom : the Christian faith B 

351 Christian lands AS. 
cristenly: as a Christian 
Cristes poss. Christ's 
cristned pp. christened AS crist- 

nian 
Cristophere : a small figure of St. 

Christopher was frequently worn 

for good luck 
cristyanytee : company of Chris- 
tians 



criynge p. crymg , 
croce: stick, staff OF croce 
croked: crooked, wrong ME crok 

+ ed 
crockedly: crookedly 
crokke: crock, jar AS crocca 
crommes: crumbs AS cruma 
crony cle sb. chronicle OF cron- 

ique 
cropen pp. crawled ; cf. crepe 
croper: crupper OF cropere 
croppe: top, sprout, branch end, 

crop, fruit AS cropp m. 
croude inf. drive out AS crudan 
crouned, crowned pp. OF coroner 
crowdyng: pushing 
crowe sb. crow AS crawe f. 
crowe inf. crow; croweth 3 pr. s. 

refl. ; crew 3 pt. s. AS crawan 
croys sb. cross OF crois 
crueel: cruel OF. 
crueltee: cruelty 
crulle a. pi. curled ON kurle 
cryature: person; cf. creature 
crydon, cryede 3 pt. pi. cried; cf. 

crie 
cryke sb. creek OF crique 
cubites: cubits Lat cubitus 
cum of: come away, cease (jocu- 
lar) 
cumpas: a circle OF compas 
cunne 3 pr. pi. know how ; cf. 

conne AS cunnan 
cuntre-houses : native homes 
Cupide, Cupido: Cupid, God of 

Love, represented as a young 

man in Chaucer 
cuppe : cup AS cuppe f. 
curat sb. curate, parish priest Lat 

curatus 
cure sb. cure, remedy, care, heed, 

diligence; diden cure] were busy; 

take no cure] care not OF cure 
curios, curious a. careful, skilful 

OF curios 
curre: cur Scan kurre 
curs sb. curse AS curs 
cursede a. accursed 
cursen inf. curse, excommunicate 

AS cursian 
cursydnesse : curse, sin 
cursyng : cursing 
curteis a. courteous OF curteis 



II 



CURTEISIE— 



629 



-DE OWTER MERE 



curteisie, curteysie, curtesye sb. 

courtesy, ways of court OF. 
curtyn: curtain OF curtine 
curyosytee: subtle care OF curi- 

osite 
curyus: carefully wrought OF 

curios 
Custance: Constance 
custume: custom OF custume 
cut: lot; cf. W. cuturs, a lot 
cynk: cinq, five OF cinq 
Cypride: Venus, born at Paphos 

in Cyprus 
Cypyon : Scipio 
Cytherea: Venus; cf. Citherea 



daggere: dagger F dague 

daisie : daisy AS dasgesege 

daliaunce: friendly talk, gossip OF 
daliance 

Dalida: Delilah, the Philistine 
woman who discovered the secret 
of Samson's strength and be- 
trayed him to the Philistines; 
cf. Judges xvi. 

damage: pity OF. 

Damascien: Johannes Damascenus, 
Arabian physician of probably 
the ninth century 

dame : mother, goodwife ; madame] 
madam OF. 

damoysele : damsel OF damoisele 

dampnable: damnable OF damn- 
able 

dampnacioun: damnation OF 

damnation 

dampned pp. condemned OF 
damner 

Damyssene : Damascene ; Eden was 
thought to have been near 
Damascus 

Dane : Daphne, pursued by Apollo, 
was saved from him by being 
turned into a laurel tree. Hence 
the laurel is Apollo's tree 

Dant, Dante: Dante Alighieri, 
1265-1321, Italian poet, wrote 
**Divina Commedia" 

Danyel: Daniel 

dappull-gray : dapple-gray Icel 
depill **spot" 

dar 1, 3 pr. s. dare; darst 2 pr. s. ; 



dorste, durst, durste pr., pt., pr. 
subj. AS dear 

Dares Frygius : Dares the Phry- 
gian. He is mentioned together 
with Dictys Cretensis, as the 
source of the history of the Tro- 
jan War written by Guido delle 
Colonne, who really took his 
material from the Roman du 
Troie of Benoit de Sainte-Maure. 
Guido's history was popular ; 
Chaucer uses material from it 
elsewhere 

darreyne inf. to decide one's claim 
to OF deraisnier 

dart, dartis pi. dart, spear, set up 
as prize in races OF dart 

Daryus: Darius, king of Persia 

daswen 3 pr. pi. blink; cf. daze 

daun, dan: sir, a title of respect 
OF dan 

daunce sb. dance ; olde daunce] 
old sport OF dance 

dauncen inf. dance; daunsith 3 pr. 
s. ; daunsedyn 3 pt. pi. OF 
dancer 

daunger: peril, penalty, control, 
power OF dangier 

daungerous : masterful, threatening 
OF dangeros 

daunsedyn 3 pt. pi. danced ; cf. 
dauncen 

daunsith 3 pr. s. dances ; cf. 
dauncen 

daunsynge p. dancing 

daunte imp. s. rule ; dauntist 2 pr. 
s. AF daunter 

dawe inf. dawn ; daweth 3 pr. s. ; 
dawed pp. AS dagian 

dawenynge sb. dawn, daybreak 

dawes: days AS dagas 

dayerye : dairy AS dsege "dairy- 
maid" -j- F. erie 

dayeseye, dayseie, dayesyis, day- 
syes pi. daisy AS dsegesege 

de Casibus Virorum Illustrium: on 
the falls of famous men (from 
good fortune), a work by Gio- 
vanni Boccaccio, upon which 
model the "Monkes Tale" is 
based 

de owter mere : from over sea, im- 
ported 



DEBAAT— 



630 



— DESCLAUNDRED 



debaat sb. contest, conflict OF 
debat 

debate inf. fight OF debatre 

debonaire a. gentle, gracious; as s. 
courteous person OF. 

debonairly : debonairely, graciously 

debonairyete : gentleness, gracious- 
ness OF. 

declare inf. declare OF. 

declinacioun: angle of the sun in 
the ecliptic OF. 

ded, dede, deed a. dead, deadly; 
be deed] be ^lain AS dead 

Dedalus: Daedalus, legendary artist 
and mechanician of Greece, 
chiefly noted for his attempt to 
fly by means of attached wings. 
Mentioned as a typical mechani- 
cian, whose mechanical skill can- 
not help the mourner 

dede: deed, act; with the dede] as 
soon as it is done AS dsed f. 

dede 3 pt. s. did ; cf. doon 

dede pp. died ; cf, dye 

dedely, dedly: deadly, mortal 

deduyt: delight OF deduit 

deedly : death-like 

deef: deaf AS deaf 

deal, del, dele : part, share AS 
dael f. 

deelen inf. deal AS daelan 

dees: dice OF det, pi. dez 

deeth sb. death; the death] the 
pestilence AS dea^ m. 

defame sb. dishonor OF defamer 

defaulte: fault, check (hunting 
term) ; lack OF defaute 

deffenden inf. forbid OF defendre 

deffye, defye 1 pr. s. defy F deffier 

degree: rank in life, step OF. 

deiedyn 3 pt. pi. died ; cf. dye 

deite, deitee : deity OF. 

deknes: deacons AS deacon 

del, dele: part, share; every del] 
wholly; never a dele] not a bit; 
cf. deel 

deliberacioun: deliberation OF 
deliberation 

delicaat: delicate, dainty Lat deli- 
catus 

delicasye: wantonness, vain delight 
OF delicacie 

delices : delights Lat deliciae 



delit, delite sb. delight, pleasure 

OF delit 
delitable: delectable, pleasing OF, 
delite inf. delight OF deleitier 

3 pr. s. delite 
delivere inf. free OF delivrer 
Delphos: ace. form of Delphi, 

famous for Apollo's temple 
delve inf. dig; dolven pp. AS 

delfan 
Delyt: pers. Delight; cf. delit 
delyvere a. active OF delivre 
delyvered pp. set free ; cf . delivere 
dely verly : with dexterity 
demande s. question OF de- 

mander 
demen inf. imagine, judge, decide 

AS deman 
Demetrius: king of the Parthians 
Demociones: of Demotion, a Greek 
demeyne: dominion OF demaine 
Demophoun : Demophoon ; cf. 

Phyllis 
dempne 1 pr. s. despise, damn OF 

dampner 
demyn inf. deem, judge ; cf. demen 
dennes pi. dens AS denn n. 
depardieux : in God's name 
departe inf. part, separate, leave ; 

departen 1 pr. pi. OF departir 
departynge sb. departure 
depe a. deep AS deop 
depe ad. deeply 
Depeford: Deptford, about three 

males from Southwark 
depeynted pp. depicted OF de- 

peint 
depper: deeper 
depryved pp. deprived OF de- 

priver 
dere a. dear AS deore 
dere ad. dearly 
dere inf. harm AS derian 
derke a. dark AS deorc 
derke sb. darkness 
derkeste : darkest 
derre : dearer 

Dertemouthe: Dartmouth, in Dev- 
onshire 
deryveth 3 pr. s. is derived OF 

deriver 
desclaundred pp. slandered OF 

esclandre 



I 



DESCRESYOUN— 



631 



— DIGNE 



descresyoun: discretion OF discre- 
tion 

descripcioun, discripsioun : descrip- 
tion OF description 

desdeyn sb. disdain OF desdein 

desdeyne inf. disdain OF des- 
degnier 

desever: dissever, part OF des- 
sevrer 

deseyte: deceit OF deceite 

desir sb. desire OF. 

desire inf. desire OF desirer 

desirus, desirous a. desirous OF 
desiros 

desirynge : yearning 

desolat: dejected, weakest of in- 
fluence, forsaken OF. 

despence: support OF dispense 

despendest 2 pr. s. wasteth OF 
despendre 

despeyred pp. sunk in despair OF 
desperer 

despit sb. spite, contempt, act of 
despite OF, 

despitous: merciless, contemptuous, 
angry OF despitos 

despitously : pitilessly 

desplayeth 3 pr. s. displays OF 
desployer 

desport: amusement, sport; cf. OF 
se desporter 

destene : cf. disteyne 

destinee: destiny OF destinee 

destourbe inf. destourbe of] hinder 
in OF destourber 

destourbing: disturbance 

destreyneth 3 pr. s. oppresses OF 
destraindre 

destroubled pp. troubled, disturbed 
OF destroubler 

destroyeth: ruins OF destruire 

destruccioun : destruction OF des- 
truction 

Desyr: pers. Desire 

deth, dethe: death 

dette: debt OF dette 

dettelees a. free from debt 

dettour: debtor OF. 

deve a. pi. deaf AS deaf 

devele way a. to the devil ! AS 
deofol 

devisioun: division, party; of my 
devisioun] under my influence 
OF division 



devocioun: devotion OF devotion 

devoir: duty OF. 

devoutely: devoutly OF devote 

devyne inf. divine, predict OF 
deviner 

devys sb. device, direction OF 
devis m. 

devysen inf. imagine, tell ; devyse 
1 pr. s. OF deviser 

dewe : dew AS deaw m. and n. 
(wa- stem) 

dextrer: courser OF destrier 

dey, deye inf. die ; deyde, deyede 
3 pt. Scan. 

deye: dairymaid AS dsege f. 

deyne inf. deign ; deyned, deynid 
3 pt. s. refl. OF digner, deigne 
3 pr. s. 

deynge p. dying 

deyntee a. dainty, pleasant, high 
bred OF deintie 

deyntee sb. regard, estimation, 
desire ; pi. dainties 

deyntevous: dainty 

deys sb. dais, platform OF deis 

Deyscorides: Dioscorides, Greek 
physician and botanist of the sec- 
ond century 

deyynge: dying 

Dianira, Dianyre : Deianira, jilted 
by Hercules, sent him a poisoned 
shirt, which consumed him when 
put on 

dide 3 subj. did; cf. doon 

Dido: queen of Carthage, heroine 
of the *'^neid" 

diete sb. diet OF diete 

diff"ame: ill repute OF difl'amer 

diffens: defence OF defense 

diffinicioun : definite order Lat 
definition 

diffye inf. defy, despise F deffier 

diffyne inf. declare plainly OF 
definer 

diffynytyve: final, definite 

digestioun : digestion OF diges- 
tion 

digestyves: aids to digestion OF. 

dighte inf. prepare, serve, deco- 
rate ; 3 pt. s. ; dight pp. AS 
dihtan 

digne a. worthy, proud, distant 
OF. 



DIGNITEE— 



632 



— DISTURBAUNCE 



dignitee: worth, rank, dignity OF 
deintie Lat dignitas 

dilatacioun: delay Lat dilatio 

diocise: diocese OF diocese 

Diogenes: Diogenes, Greek phi- 
losopher in Alexander's time 

direct: directed Lat directus 

dirke : dark AS deorc 

dirkenesse : darkness 

discensioun: dissension OF. 

discerne inf. discern OF dis- 
cerner 

disceyvable: deceitful F decevable 

dischevele : disheveled, disar- 

ranged, with hair flowing loosely 
OF descheveler 

disconfiture : defeat OF. 

disconfitynge : discomfiture OF 
desconfit 

disconfort: discomfort, discourage- 
ment OF desconfort 

disconforten inf. discourage 

discrecioun: discretion OF dis- 
cretion 

discret: discreet 

discripsioun : description OF de- 
scription 

discryven inf. describe OF de- 
scrivre 

discure inf. reveal, disclose OF 
descovrir 

discussid: pp. discussed Lat dis- 
cus sus 

disese: discomfort OF desaise 

disespaired pp. hopeless OF 
disespere 

disfigurat: ugly OF desfigurer + 
Lat suff. atus 

disfigure sb. deformity 

disgysed pp. disguised OF des- 
guiser 

disherited pp. disinherited OF 
desheriter 

dishobeysaunt: disobedient OF 
desobeir" 

dishonour sb. disgrace OF des- 
honneur 

disjoynt sb. trouble OF desjoinct 

diskryve inf. describe ; cf. discryve 

dismalle s. unlucky day. Dismal 
comes through French from the 
Latin dies malus, evil day. Later 
the -al sufifix caused it to be 
iised as an adjective. The days 



of the ten plagues of Egypt were 
considered as unlucky. Unlucky 
days were also called ^^gyptiaci 

disparage sb. disgrace OF des- 
parager 

disparaged pp. misallied 

dispeir sb. despair OF despoir 

dispence : expenditure, extrava- 
gance OF dispense 

dispend inf. spend OF dispendre 
< Lat. 

dispensacioun: dispensation 

dispeyred: despairing 

dis{)ise inf. despise OF despire 

dispit sb. despite OF despit 

dispitouse: cruel; cf. despitous OF 
despitos 

dispitously ad. angrily 

displesance, displesaunce : annoy- 
ance, displeasure OF desplai- 
sance 

displese inf. displease OF de- 
splaisir 

dispoillen inf. despoil OF despoil- 
lier 

disport sb. sport OF. 

disporte inf. amuse OF se des- 
porter 

disposed pp. in condition, health 
OF disposer 

disposicioun : disposition, situation ; 
character as determined by posi- 
tion of planet OF disposicion 

disputisoun: dispute OF. 

dissencioun : strife 

disserved pp. deserved OF deser- 
vir ' 

dissever inf. dissever, part OF 
dessevrer 

dissimulour: dissimulater, liar OF 
dissimuler 

dissymulynges : pretences 

distaf: distaff AS distaef 

disteyne, dysteyne inf. cf. destene 
bedim, take away the color of 
OF desteindre 

distraynyth: clutches; cf. distreyne 
OF destraindre 

distresse: distress, trouble, sorrow 
OF destrecier 

distreyne inf. constrain 

disturbaunce : trouble OF destour- 
bance 



II 



DIVERS— 



633 



-DREMYTH 



divers, dyverse : different, changed 

OF. 
divinistre: diviner, prophet OF < 

deviner 
divisioun : distinction, sect OF 

division 
divisynge : devising 
divyn : divine OF divin 
diyng: dying 
do, doo, don, doon inf., imp. have, 

cause to be ; cf. doon AS don 
doctour: doctor; doctour of Phisik] 

physician ; Augustine, the "holy 

doctor" of the Middle Ages OF. 
doctrine : learning, instructive tales 

or speech OF. 
does sb. pi. does AS da 
dogerel: doggerel < dog 
dogges: dogs AS dogga 
doghter : daughter ; poss. davigh- 

ter's AS dohtor 
doghty: strong, valiant AS dohtig 
doke : duck AS duce f. 
dokked pp. cut close; cf. Icel 

dockr short tail 
dolven : buried ; cf. delven 
dom, doom : judgment ; to my dom] 
• in my opinion AS d5m 
domesman : judge AS. 
dominacioun : control, power AS 

domination 
Donegild: mother of King Alia 
dong sb. manure ; donge dat. AS 

dung 
donge inf. cover with manure 
dongeoun: dungeon, donjon OF 

donjon 
donghil : dunghill 

doom: judgment, decision; cf. dom 
doon, doone, done, doo, do inf. do, 

cause, make for ; doon wroght] 

caused to be made ; for to doone] 

proper ; doth, dooth 3 pr. s. ; 

dooth for to] causes to ; doth 

me dye] slays me ; don 2 pr. pi. ; 

did, dede, dyd 3 pt. s. ; did of] 

took off; dide 3 pr. subj. ; done 

pp. AS don ; cf. Appendix 
dore: door AS duru f. 
Dorigene : wife of Arveragus < 

Celt Drognen 
dormant: permanent; cf. table OF. 
■dorste 3 pt. s. dared ; cf. dar 
■dotage: dotage, folly OF. 



doted pp. doting OF doter 
doubelyth 3 pr. s. doubles OF 

dobler 
double: deceitful OF doble 
doughter: daughter AS dohtor 
doughtyr: daughter. Pleasure, 

daughter of Cupid 
doumb a. dumb AS dumb 
doun ad. down AS of-dune 
doune prep, down 
dounward : downward 
doute sb. doubt, fear OF doute 
douteless: doubtless 
dowaire: dowry OF doaire 
dowbilnesse, dowblenesse : duplic- 
ity 
dowere : dowry OF doaire 
downe sb. down, upland region 

AS dun 
downe sb. down, soft feathers 

Icel diinn 
dowve : dove (pigeon) ; dowvis pi. 

AS dufe 
doynge: act, deed 
draf : refuse, chaff orig. uncert. 
dragoun: dragon (cited in Eccle- 

siasticus xxv. 16 Sk.) OF dragon 
drasty: filj:hy AS < dserstan + ig 
draughte : draught ; move at chess 

AS dragan, "drow," "move" 
drawen inf. draw, incline, carry, 

bring, recall ; drough, drow pt. s. 

drawe pp. drawn, moved in a 

game ; drawe the same draught] 

made the same move AS dragan 
drecched pp. bored, troubled AS 

dreccean 
drede sb. fear, doubt, hesitation ; 

withoute drede] doubtless, surely 

AS draedan 
drede inf. be afraid, fear ; drede 

1 pr. s. ; dreddest 2 pt. s. ; drad, 

dradde, dredde 3 pt. s. ; dradden 

3 pt. pi. subj. ; drad pp. AS 

draedan 
dredeful : fearful, cautious 
dredeles, dredles ad. without 

dread, fearlessly, certainly 
dreem, drem sb. dream AS 

dream 
dreint 3 pt. s. drowned ; cf. 

drenche AS drencan 
dremed 1 pt. s. dreamed 
dremyth 3 pr. s. dreameth 



DRENCHE— 



634 



— EBROUGHT 



drenche inf. drown ; dreint 3 pt. s. ; 

dreynte pp. AS drencan 
drenchyng : drowning 
drery: dreary, sad AS dreorig 
dresse inf., 3 pr. pi. fit up; ar- 
range, make ready OF dresser 
drewh 3 pt. s. drew, attracted 
drevyne pp. driven 
dreye: dry AS dryge 
dreynte pp. drowned ; cf. drenche 
drive inf. drive ; drive away] pass 

away AS drifan 
drofe 3 pt. s. drove ; cf . dryven 
drogges sb. pi. drugs OF drogue 
drogthe sb. drought, dryness AS 

drugaS 
dronkelewe: a drunkard, drunken 

+ Isewe AS suff. 
dronken 1 pt. pi. drank; pp.; 

dronke pp. cf. drynken 
dronkenesse : drunkenness 
drope sb. drop AS dropa m. 
droppyng: leaking 
drough 3 pt. s. drew ; cf. drawe 
drouped 3 pt. pi drooped Icel 

drupa 
drow pt. s. drew, drew near ; cf. 

drawen 
drugge inf. drudge orig. uncert. ; 

cf. AS dreogan 
drye a. dry, dried up, wizened ; 

drye se] ; cf. Carrenare AS drige 
drye 1 pr. s., 3 pt. pi. endure AS 

dreogan 
drynke sb. drink AS drincan 
drynken inf. drink; dronken pt. 

pi., pp ; dronke pp. 
dryve inf. drive, compel ; drofe 3 

pt. s. ; dryven pp. AS drifan 
due: duke OF. 
duchesse: duchess OF. 
duel, duelle inf. dwell, remain ; cf. 

dwelle AS dwellan 
duetee : duty AF duete 
duewe : due OF deu ; cf. deue 
dul, dulle a. dvill ; cf. AS dol 
dulnesse : dullness 
Dun is in the Myre : an old game ; 

serving-men attempting to drag 

the "horse" (a log of wood) 

along a kitchen floor. Dun = 

The dun horse 
Dunmowe : a village in Essex, 

where a flitch of bacon was yearly 



offered to the couple who could 

prove their first year and day of 

marriage happily spent 
dunne a. dun, dark AS dunn 
duracioun: duration OF duration 
dure inf. endure, last OF durer 
durst, durste 1 pr. s., pt. s. subj., 

dare ; cf. dar 
duszeyne: dozen OF dosaine 
dwellen inf. 3 pr. pi dwell, delay ; 

dwelled, dwelte 3 pt. s. AS 

dwellan 
dwellynge sb. residence 
dyademe: diadem, crown OF dia- 

deme 
dyamauntz: diamonds OF dia- 

mant 
Dyane: Diana, goddess of chastity 

and of hunting 
dyapred pp. diversified with figures 

OF diapre 
dych sb. ditch AS die, dat. dice 
dyched pp. ditched, moated 
dyd pt. s. did ; cf. doon 
dyde 3 pr. s. subj. should die; cf. 

dye 
Dydo : Dido of Carthage, who slew 

herself for grief and anger when 

her lover, ^neas, secretly de- 
serted her 
dye inf. die ; dyde, dyed pt. s. ; 

deiedyn 3 pt. pi. ; dede pp. Icel 

deyja 
dye 3 pr. pi. dye; dyed 3 pt. s., 

pp. AS deagian 
dyere: dyer 

dyke inf. ditch AS die 
dynt: stroke AS dynt 
dys pi. dice OF det, pi. dez 
dyvers, dyverse a. diverse, various 
dyvded pp. divided 
dyvyne a. divine 
dyvynynge p. foretelling 
dyvynys: divines, theologians 



ealyth 3 pr. s. ails AS eglam. 
ease inf. ease OF aise 
eate inf. eat AS etan 
ebbe sb. ebb-tide AS ebba 
ebbe inf. ebb AS ebbian 
Ebrayk: Hebrew OF ebraique 
Ebrew : Hebrew 
ebrought pp. brought; cf. brynge 



ECCLESIASTE— 



635 



— ENBRACE 



Ecclesiaste: Ecclesiastes, a book of 

the Bible (xxv. 25) 
Ecclesiaste: Ecclesiasticus, one of 

the books of the Apocrypha 

(xii. 10) 
ecclesiaste: prelate OF. 
ech, eche a. each; ech a] every 

AS aelc 
echon : each one, each 
Eclympasteyre : son of the god of 

sleep 
ecome pp. come 
Ecquo : Echo, who fell in love with 

Narcissus. When he slighted her 

love, she pined away until only 

her voice was left 
Ector: Hector, son of King Priam 

of Troy, chief fighter on the 

Trojan side 
edrawe pp. drawn 
eek, eke, ek : eke, also AS eac 
eelde, elde: age, time AS seldu, 

yldu 
eere pi. ears AS eare n. 
eerly: early AS serlice 
eeste: east AS east 
effect: fact AF. 
eft, efte ad. again, another time 

AS eft 
eft-soones: eftsoon, again AS eft 

4" sona 
Egeus: king of Athens and father 

of Theseus 
egge: edge AS ecg f, 
eggement: egging 
Egipcien : Egyptian 
Egipte: Egypt 

egle: eagle; eglis pi. AF egle 
ego pp. gone 

egre: sour, bitter, sharp AF egre 
eighe: eye AS eage n. 
eightetethe : eighteenth 
eir: air OF air 
ek: eke, also ; cf. eek 
Ekko; cf. Ecquo 
eknowe pp. known 
elde: age; cf. eelde 
eldres pi. ancestors AS yldra 
eleccioun: selection OF election 
element: element. In Chaucer's 

time all matter was thought to 

be composed of the four ele- 
ments : earth, air, fire, and water 

OF. 



elenge: tedious, unendurable AS 

selenge 
Eleyne: Helen, wife of Menelaus 

of Sparta. She was seduced by 

Paris, q. v., and this caused the 

Trojan war 
elf: sprite, witch AS allf 
elf-queene : fairj'- queen 
Eliachim : priest of Bethulia 
Elicon: Mt. Helicon, confused with 

some fountain sacred to Apollo 

(Hippocrene, Castalia) 
elis: eels AS ael m. 
ellas : alas ! cf. F helas 
ellebor: hellebore, an herb OF 

ellebore 
elles, ellis: else AS elles 
eloquence: eloquence OF. 
Elpheta: wife of Cambynskan 
elves; cf. elf 

elvysch: elf-like, reserved, shy 
embassadour: ambassador OF. 
embassadrye: diplomacy OF. 
embosed pp. embossed, plunged 

into the thick woods OF em- 

bosquer 
embrace inf. hold OF embracer 
embroudpd pp. embroidered OF 

enbroder 
Emeleward: toward Emelye 
Emelye: sister of Hippolyta, her- 
oine of the "Knightes Tale" 
emeraude, emeroude : emerald MF 

esmeraude 
Emetreus: king of India, who 

fought with Arcita 
emforth prep, to the extent of AS 

em =: efen -|- forS 
emperesse, emperice, emperise, em- 

perisse : empress OF. 
emperoures pi. emperors OF 

empereor 
empoysoned pp. poisoned OF 

empoisonner 
empoysonere : poisoner 
empoysonyng sb. poisoning 
emprenteth 2 imp. pi. imprint ; 

emprented pp. OF empreindre 
emprentyng sb. impression 
emprise : enterprise, undertaking 

OF emprise 
enbaumme: embalm OF embaumer 
enbrace inf. embrace; enbraceth 

pr. s. OF embrace 



ENCENS- 



636 



— EQUITEE 



encens sb. incense OF. 
encense inf. cast incense 
enchauntement s. enchantment 

OF. 
encheson : occasion, reason OF 

enchaison 
enclyne inf. bow, stimulate ; 

enclyned pp. inclined OF 

encliner 
encomberous: burdensome < OF 

encombrance 
enccmbred pp. encumbered, caught 

OF encombrer 
encrees sb. increase AF encrestre 
encrese inf. increase ; encreseth, 

encresseth 3 pr. s. ; encresede 3 

pt. s. ; encressed pp. 
ende: end AS ende m. 
endelees: endless 
endelong ad. lengthwise, along 
endelong prep, along 
endere sb. ender 
endite inf. write, compose OF 

enditer 
endure inf. endure, live OF 

endurer 
endytyng: mode of writing 
Eneas: ^neas, hero of the ^neid 

of Virgil; cf. Dido 
enemyte : enmity AF enemite 
Eneydos: the ^neid (quoted in 

gen. case) 
enforce inf. strengthen OF en- 
forcer 
enformed pp. informed OF en- 
former 
enfortuned: devised OF enfortu- 

ner 
engendre inf. procreate, produce; 

engendred 3 pt. pi. ; engendred 

pp. ; engenderede, engendrid OF 

engendrer 
engendrure: propagation OF. 
engin: skill, genius OF. 
Englis, Englissh : English 
engyn : machine OF engin 
engyned pp. tortured 
enhauncen inf. raise, promote ; 

enhaunsed pp. OF enhancier 
enhorte inf. exhort OF enhorter 
enlumyned 3 pt. s. illumined OF 

enluminer 
enoynt pp. anointed OF enoint 

pp. 



enquere inf. inquire OF enquerre 

enquerynge : inquiry 

ensample : example, sample AS 
ensample 

ensure inf. pledge, engage one's 
self, take security for OF en + 
seiir 

entencioun: intention OF enten- 
tion 

entende inf. give attention to, 
strive OF entendre 

entent, entente: intent, intention, 
will ; doo thyn entent] be intent, 
give heed ; in good entente] with 
resignation OF entent 

entewnes pi. tunes OF entones 

entirmes : entremet, dish served 
between courses OF entremet 

entirmetyn: (of) middle, mix one's 
self (in) ; cf. entremette 

entraille: entrails OF. 

entre inf. enter OF entrer 

entree: entrance OF entre 

entremette inf. interrupt OF 
entremettre 

entrikyth pr. s. snares OF 
entriquier 

entuned pp. intoned OF entoner 

entytlt pp. entitled F en + title 

envenyme inf. poison OF en- 
venimer 

envoluped pp. enveloped, en- 
wrapped OF envoluper 

envye sb. envy, hatred OF envie 

envye inf. vie, strive, envy OF 
envie 

envyned pp. stored with wine 
F envine 

envyous: envious OF envios 

eny : any AS senig 

eonde 1 pr. s. end; cf. ende 

Epicurus : Greek philosopher, whose 
doctrine was that pleasure is the 
chief good in life 

Epistelle of Ovyde : Ovid's "Epis- 
tolae," or Heroides, a series of 
poetical letters supposedly ad- 
dressed by unfortunate women 
to their lovers 

equacions : equations, exact quan- 
tities Lat aequationem 

equynoxial : equinoxial circle F. 

equitee : equity, fairness OF equite 



ER— 



637 



— EVERICH 



er conj. ere, before; er that: 
before AS aer 

er prep, before 

er, ere sb. ear; ear (of corn) AS 
ear n. 

erande: errand AS serende n. 

erbe : herb F herbe 

erber: arbor OF herbier 

erchedekenes poss. archdeacon ; 
erchedekenes curs] excommuni- 
cation ; purs is the erchedekenes 
helle] the archdeacon would pun- 
ish him in his purse; i.e., he 
could avoid the curse by giving 
money arch + AS deacon 

Ercules: Hercules, famed for his 
feats of strength. He rescued 
Alcestes from Hades 

ere inf. plough AS erian 

eresye : heresy OF beresie 

Eriphilem : ace. case of Eriphyle, 
wife of Amphiaraus 

erl: earl AS eorl 

erly ad. early AS serlice 

erme inf. feel pain, grieve AS 
yrman 

Ermony: Armenia 

Ermyn: Armenian 

ernest sb. a serious matter ; ernest 
of game] seriousness out of sport 
AS eornost 

errante, erraunt a. wandering, 
stray ; near middle of chess-board 
OF errant 

Erro : Hero ; cf. Leandre 

errour: error, doubt OF. 

erst: first, at first AS serest 

ert: art 

erthe: earth AS eort5e f. 

erthely : earthly 

erys pi. ears AS eare 

escapen inf. escape AF escaper 

eschaunge sb. exchange ; in es- 
chaunge shuldes selle] profit by 
the different rates of exchange 
in the different money-markets 
OF eschange 

eschue inf. eschew, shun AF 
eschuer 

Esculapius: the Greek god of medi- 
cine, son of Apollo 

ese sb, ease OF aise 

ese inf. ease, help, accommodate. 



compensate ; esed atte beste] 
given the best possible service 

esily ad. with ease 

espye sb. spy OF espie 

espye inf. spy, find out OF espier 

est, eest sb. east ; ad. eastward 

estaat, estat: estate, rank, dignity, 
condition OF estat 

estatlich a. stately 

estatly ad. with dignity 

Ester: Esther 

Estoryal Myrour: Speculum His- 
toriale of Vincent, q. v. 

estres : parts, nature OF estre "to 
be," then "state," "part," "divi- 
sion" 

estward: eastward 

esy: easy, mild OF aisie 

ete inf. eat ; etyn 3 pr. pi. ; eet 
3 pt. s. ate ; ete, eten pp. AS 
etan 

eterne a. eternal OF. 

Etike: the "Ethics" of Aristotle, 
in which virtue is represented as 
a mean between two extremes 
(Sk.) 

etyn 3 pr. pi. eat 

Eva : Eve 

Evangeliset: Evangelist, writer of 
Gospel 

evaungiles: The Gospels OF evan- 
gile 

eve : evening AS efen 

evel ad. ill AS yfel 

even, evene ad. exactly, cau- 
tiously; here even] act with 
moderation ; ful even] actually 
AS efen 

evene a. equal, well-matched, ordi- 
nary, full 

even-song: evening prayer; if 
even-song and morwe-song ac- 
corde] if in the morning you 
agree to the evening's plan 

eventyde : evening 

ever: ever; evere in oon] al- 
together ; ever leng the worse] 
the worse the longer it hangs; 
evere lenger the more] the 
longer, the more AS sifre 

everech: each one; cf. everich 

everemoore : evermore 

everich, everiche : every one, each 
AS sefre -|- allc 



EVERMO— 



638 



— FASTE 



evermo : evermore, constantly 
ever + ino 

everychon : every one 

everydel, everydelle: entirely, com- 
pletely 

everylyche : constantly ME ever 
+ ylike, AS gelice 

ew: yew-tree AS iw 

ewysse : I wis 

exaltacioun: sign in which a star 
has greatest power for good or 
ill OF exaltation 

exaltat pp. raised in zodiacal 
sign Lat. 

exametron : hexameter Lat. 

excuse inf. pardon OF. 

execucioun, execussyoun : execu- 
tion OF execution 

example sb. example OF ex- 
ample 

exercise inf. exercise OF excer- 
cice 

expans yeeris : anni expansi, a 
term for separate numbers of 
years below twenty, in tables 

experience: proof, example OF. 

expowne inf. explain 

expres: expressly OF. 

expresse inf. 3 pr. pi. express 
< expres 

expulsif: expellent; cf. vertu OF. 

extender! 3 pr. pi. are extended 
Lat extendere 

extorcioun: extortion OF extor- 
sion 

ey: ^gg AS seg n. pi. aegru 

eye: eye; eyen pi.; at eye] at a 
glance AS eage n. 

eyleth 3 pr. s. ails AS eglan 

eyr: air OF air 

eyre: heir, son OF heir 

eyther, eythir: either AS 3i:g>er 



fables: stories OF. 

face : a division of the signs of 

the zodiac in mediaeval astrology 
facoun: falcon OF faucon 
facound, facounde sb. eloquence 

Lat facundus a. 
facound a. ready, fluent Lat 

facundus 
facultee sb. ability F faculte 
fader, fadre : father, ancestor. 



patriarch ; father's poss. ; fader 
kyn] father's family AS faeder 

fadme pi. fathoms AS fsetSm 

faile sb. failure, fail F faillir 

faillen inf. fail; failled 3 pt. s, 

fair, faire a. fair; as sb. a fair 
part; a fair] an excellent speci- 
men AS faeger 

faire ad. fairly, well 

fairer: more fair 

fairnesse, fairenesse sb. square 
living, uprightness ; swiche a 
fairenesse of a nekke] a neck of 
such fairness 

Fairye : Faerie, Fairyland 

fal sb. fall 

fal inf fall; cf. falle 

faldyng sb. coarse cloth, frieze 

falle inf. fall, happen, prosper, 
belong to ; falleth, fallys 3 pr. s. ; 
falleth in my thoght] comes to 
my mind ; fel 3 pt. s. ; fil, fille 
pt. ; falle 3 pr. s. subj. ; falle pp. ; 
AS feallan Icel falla 

falow: yellow, pallid AS fealu 

fals a. false OF fals 

falsen inf. be false to, betray, lie 

falsly : falsely 

faltren: falter; orig. uncert. 

falwes: soft, fallow fields AS 
fealgas "harrows" 

famulier: familiar OF familier 

fan : the quintain was pivoted ; its 
two parts were the **fan" or 
"board" (shield), and the 
"club" or "bag.'* The tilter, on 
striking the board, had to 
dodge the swing of the bag 
which followed AS fann 

fantasye, fantesye sb. desire, fan- 
tasy OF fantasie 

fantome : fantastic vision OF fan- 
tosme 

fare sb. conduct, proceeding, 
business; evil fare] ill hap, mis- 
fortune AS faru "journey" f. 

fare inf. fare, prosper, behave, 
proceed ; faren 1 pr. pi. ; ferde, 
ferden pt. s., pi. ; fare pp. AS 
faran 

farewel, farwel : farewell 

farsed pp. stuffed F farce 

faste ad. rapidly, fast ; faste by] 
near by AS faeste 



II 



PASTE— 



639 



-FERME 



faste 1 pr. s. fast AS fsestan 

fastynge s. fasting 

fattyssh: fat, plump 

faucon : falcon; faucon peregryn] 
peregrine falcon OF faucon 

fauconers: falconers 

faught 3 pt. s. fought; cf. fighte 

fauned 3 pt. s. fawned on AS 
fagnian 

f awe : fain, glad AS fsegen 

fawnes : fauns Lat faunus 

f ayerye : fairies, Fairyland OF 
faerie "enchantment" 

fayle inf. fail ; cf. faillen 

fayn a. glad AS fsegen 

fayne ad. gladly; han fayn] fain 
have 

fayner a. gladder; ad. more gladly 

fayneste : gladdest 

faynte inf. faint ; feyntest 2 pr. s. ; 
OF feint pp. of feindre 

fayr ad. well 

fayre sb. fair AS faeger 

fayrest: fairest, most beautiful 

fable: feeble AF feble 

fecchen inf. take, bring; fette 3 
pt. s. ; fat pp. AS fecc(e)an 

fadda 3 pt. s. fed AS fedan 

fader: feather; fedarys pi. AS 
feSer 

fadma pi. fathoms AS faeSm 

fae: pay; fee symple] estate free 
from any limitation or entail 
AF fee 

faeld: field; faeldas pi. the field 
or background of banner or 
arms; feeld of snow, etc.] Bert- 
rand du Guesclin, constable of 
France, bore in his coat-of- 
arms a black eagle, upon a silver 
field ("feeld of snow") with a 
red band ("lymerod") across the 
whole, from left to right AS 
feld m. 

faalyngly : sympathetically 

feand : fiend AS feond m. 

feandly : fiendish 

faendlych: fiendish 

faara sb. fear AS fsir 

faere sb. mate; in feere] with each 
other AS gefera m. 

faasta : merriment ; cf. fasta OF 
feste 

faastlych : fond of feasts 



faat: feats, acts AF fet 

faith: faith OF fei + -th (cf. 

truth) 
faithful : faithful 
fal, falle a. evil, cruel OF fel 
fel 3 pt. s. fell; cf. falle 
felawa sb. fellow, chum Icel 

felagi m. 
falawashipa: fellowship, company 
falda : field ; faldys pi. ; cf. faald 
faldefara : fieldfare, a kind of 

thrush ME felde + fare 
feldyn: 2 pt. pi. felt; cf. falan 
fele a. many AS fela 
fale inf. feel ; felad 3 pt. s. ; 

faldyn 2 pt. pi. AS felan 
falicitae: happiness OF. 
fella inf. fell, cut down ; fild pp. 

AS fyllan, faellan 
falonya: felony, crime OF felonie 
falowa : fellow ; cf. felawa 
felynge : feeling, fancy, sensitive- 
ness, passion, artistic skill 
falyngly : feelingly 
falysshyppe : company, gathering 
Famenya: the country of the 

Amazons 
femynyny^aa: feminine form F 

femininite 
fen: fann (Arab.) a branch of 

science ; part of Avicenna's 

"canon" 
fandaly : fiendlike, devilish 
Fanix : phoenix, a fabulous bird 

which every 500 years burned 

itself on the altar and rose again 

from the ashes young and beau- 
tiful 
far a., ad. far ; fer ne ner] neither 

more nor less AS feor 
farbrond: firebrand AS fyr n. + 

AS brand 
farde pt. s. prospered, went ; cf . 

fare 
fare, faara sb. fear AS fser 
fare, faara sb. mate in fere 

together 
farad pp. frightened 
farforth : far, forward 
ferforthly : thoroughly 
farmacies: pharmacies, remedies 

OF farmacie 
farme sb. rent, payment ; he 

"farmed" the revenues of his dis- 



FERME- 



640 



— FLATERYE 



trict, so that no one else begged 
in his district F ferme 
ferme a. firm OF ferme 
fermour: farmer, collector of taxes 
fern: long time AS feorran 
fern asshen : fern ashes, used as 
alkali in mediaeval glass AS 
fearn 
feme: distant (pi. of ferren) AS 

feorran 
Ferrare : Ferrara 
ferre, ferrer ad. further AS 

feorran 
ferreste a. most remote 
fers: the piece at chess next to 
the king, which we call the 
queen, but which was originally 
the Pherz, which in Persian 
signifies the chief counsellor. 
The loss of the queen for noth- 
ing generally means the loss of 
the game ; ferses twelve] not 
twelve queens ; here fers is used 
to mean all the pieces save the 
king; the bishop, knight and 
rook counting but one apiece 
OF fierce 
ferst: first AS fyrst 
ferthe : fourth AS feortSa 
ferther, ferthere : farther ; cf. 

AS furtSor 
ferthyng: farthing AS feorSung 
fesaunt: pheasant AF fesaunt 
fest: fist AS fyst f. 
feste sb. feast; festys pi. OF 

feste 
festeiyng: feasting, entertaining 

OF festeier 
festeth 3 pr. s. feasts 
festure inf. fasten AS fsestan 
fet, fete sb. pi. feet AS fet 
fet pp. fetched; cf. fecchen 
fethere: feather AS fet5r 
fethered 3 pt. s. feathered 
fetisly: neatly, correctly OF fetis, 

faitis 
fette 3 pt. s. fetched, brought; cf. 

fecchen 
fettred 3 pt. s. fettered, put in 

chains AS fetor 
fettres pi. fetters 
fetys: neat, well-shaped OF fetis 
fevere terciane : tertian fever, with 



rise of temperature every other 
day AS fefor 

fewe pi. few AS feawe 

fey: faith; in good fey] i' faith 
OF fey 

feyne ad. gladly AS faegen 

feyne : feign, pretend, speak false- 
ly ; feyned pp. OF feindre, 
feign-ant 

feyntest : m.akest faint ; cf. faynte 

feyntynge : fainting, failing 

feynynge s. pretence 

feyrenesse : beauty 

fey the: faith OF fei + th ; cf. 
truth 

fieble: feeble AF feble 

fiers, fierse: fierce OF fiers 

fifte, fifthe: fifth AS fifta 

fighte inf. fight ; fyght 3 pr. s. ; 
f aught 3 pt. s. ; foghten 3 pt. pi., 
pp. AS feohtan 

figure : shape, figure ; figuris pi. 
figures ; figuris ten] the ten 
Arabic numerals F fi.gure 

figurynge sb. form, figure 

fikulnesse: fickleness AS ficol 

fil, fille pt. fell, happened; cf. 
falle 

fild pp. felled; cf. felle 

fild pp. filled 

fille sb. fill AS fyllo, -u f. 

filthe: filth AS fylS f. 

finde : find, discover, invent, fur- 
nish ; fynd, fynt pr. s. ; fond, 
foond, founde 1, 3 pt. s. ; founde 
pp. ; fynde 3 pr. s. subj. AS 
findan 

fir, fire: fire AS fyr n. 

firi a. fiery 

firmament: sky, heaven Lat 
firmamentum 

firre : fir-tree ; cf. Icel fura 

firste table: the first of the ten 
commandments refers to God 

firy : fiery 

fissh: fish AS fisc 

fissher : fisherman 

fit: a portion of a song AS fit 

fithele: fiddle AS fitSele 

fixe pp. fixed OF fi.xe 

flambes: flames OF fl.ambe, flame 

flater 1 pr. s. flatter; cf. Ger. 
flattern, F flatter 

flaterye: flattery OF flaterie 



I 



FLATERY- 



641 



—FOOT-HOOT 



flatery, flateyrynge sb. flatter- 
ing 
flatour: fxatterer OF. 
flatter flat Icel flatr 
flaugh 2 pt. s. flewest; cf. flee 
flaume: flame OF flame 
Flaundres: Flanders, a district 

now forming parts of France, 

Holland and Belgium 
Flaundryssh a. Flemish 
fle,fleen inf. flee, escape; fledde 

3 pt. s. ; fleeth imp. pi. ; fled pp. ; 

AS fleon 
fledde 3 pt. s. ; cf. flee 
flee inf. fly ; flaugh 2 pt. s. ; fleigh, 

fly 3 pt. s. ; flowen 3 pt. pi. AS 

fleogan 
fleemeth 3 pr. s. banisheth; 

flemed pp. AS fleman 
fleen sb. pi. fleas AS flea m. (-n) 
fleete, flete inf. float, swim ; flete 

1 pr. s. ; fleteth pr. s. ; fleete 

3 pr. s. subj. AS fleotan 
fleeth imp. pi. flee; cf. fle 
fleight 3 pt. s. flew ; cf. flee 
flekked pp. spotted ; cf. Icel 

flekke 
flemed pp. banished AS fleman 
flemere: banisher 
Flemyng: Fleming, native of 

Flanders 
flen inf. flee ; cf. fle 
fles sb. fleece AS fleos 
flessh sb. flesh, meat AS flsesc n. 
fleshly ad. in the flesh, carnal 
flesshy : fleshy 
flek inf., 1 pr. s. float, swim; cf. 

fleete 
fletynge p. floating 
flex sb. flax AS fleax n. 
fleynge p. flying; cf. flee 
flikerynge p. flickering AS flice- 

rain 
flo: arrow AS fla f(-n) 
flok sb. flock AS flocc m. 
flokmeele: in a flock, in troops 
Flora: Goddess of flowers 
floryn: florin, a coin OF florin < 

Florence 
flotery: fluttering, unkempt < AS 

flotorian 
flour : flower ; flourys pi. ; flour 

delys] fleur de lis, lily OF flour 
flourethe 3 pr. s. blooms, flour- 



ishes ; floure 3 pr. s. subj. ; 

floured 3 pt. s. 
flourouns: little flowers, florets 
floury: flowery 

flowen 3 pt. pi. flew ; cf. flee 
floytynge p. playing the flute OF 

flauter 
fly 3 pt. s. flew ; cf. flee 
flye sb. fly AS fleoge f. 
flynt: flint AS flint 
flyttynge p. fleeting, transitory, 

of little value 
fneseth 3 pr. s. puffs AS gefne- 

san 
fnorteth 3 pt. s. snoreth < AS 

fneosan (wk. grade) 
fodder is now forage : my prov- 
^ender is provided for me, as 

hay for a horse in winter AS 

fodder 
foghten 3 pt. pi. fought; cf. fighte 
fol, fole sb. fool OF fol 
fol a. foul AS ful 
folde sb. fold ; metaphor for par- 
ish AS fald 
folely, folily: foolishly 
folic: folly OF. 
folk, folke : folk, people, company 

AS folc n. 
folwen inf. follow ; folwe pr. s. ; 

folwen pr. pi. ; folwed, folowed 

3 pt. s. ; folowed wel] was a 

natural consequence ; folwynge 

p. AS folgian 
foly, folye sb. folly, foolishness 
foly ad. foolishly 
fomy a. foaming < AS fam 
fon pi. foes AS fa m. 
fond, fonde 1 pt. s. found ; cf. 

finde 
fonde inf. attempt, sound, try out 

AS fandian 
fonge inf. receive, take AS fon 
fontstoon : font 
foo: foe AS fa m. 
foole: fool; foolys pi. OF fol 
foolhardynesse : foolhardiness ; pers. 

Pf 227 
foom, fome : foam AS fam n. 
foomen : foes 

foond 1 pt. s. found ; cf . finde 
foore: track, way, steps < AS 

for f. journey 
foot-hoot: foot-hot, speedily 



FOOT-MANTEI 



642 



— FORYETFUL 



foot-mantel: an outer skirt to pro- 
tect the gown when riding horse- 
back 

for conj. for, because, in order 
that AS. 

for prep, for, for the sake of, for 
fear of, in spite of, as far as 
concerns 

for al: notwithstanding 

for river: to the river 

forage : winter food, hay ; cf. fod-. 
der OF fourage 

forbede, forbedeth 3 pr. s. for- 
biddeth ; forbede imp. ; forbode 
pp. AS forbeodan 

forbere inf. refrain from, forbear ; 
forbereth imp. pi. AS forferan 

for blak: very black 

forbode sb. Goddis forbode] [it 
is] God's forbidding, God for- 
bid! AS forbod 

forbode pp. forbidden; cf. forbede 

forbrused: badly bruised 

forby ad. past 

fordoon inf. render vain, destroy ; 
fordo pp. AS fordon 

for-dronken pp. very drunk 

fordryed: dried up 

foresterys pi. foresters F fores- 
tier 

foreward sb. agreement AS fore- 
weard 

forfered: greatly frightened 

forgate, forgete pt. s. forgot ; cf . 
foryete 

forgeten pp. forgotten ; cf. foryete 

forgoon inf. forego, give up ; 
forgo pp. lost AS foregan 

forheed: forehead AS forheafod 

forkerveth 3 pr. s. hews in pieces 

forkutteth 3 pr. s. cuts to pieces 

forlete inf. lose, give up AS 
forlaetan 

forleygne: the recall note, sounded 
when the hounds are off the 
trail OF for(s)loignier "leave 
far behind" 

forlorn pp. lost AS forloren 

forme sb. form ; in form] with 
propriety 

forme inf. form; formed to 3 pt. 
s. formed so as to be 

formel, f ormele : female bird 



former: early; former age: olden 
time 

formere : creator 

formest a. foremost 

forncast: provided 

forneys sb. furnace 

fornicacioun : fornication 

for old: with age 

forpampred: over-pampered 

forpyned pp. tormented, wasted 
away 

fors: force; no fors] no matter; 
no fors of] no matter about; I 
do no fors] I regard not 

forseyde pp. aforesaid 

forslewthen inf. waste idly 

forsok pp. forsook 

f orsothe : verily 

forster : forester 

forswerynges : forswearing 

forth, forthe : forth, onward 

f orther : further 

forthermoor: further on 

f ortherover : moreover 

fortheryng: furthering 

forthren inf. further, assist 

forthright : straightforward 

forthward : forward 

forthy : therefore 

Fortune: the goddess of fortune 

fortunen inf. give fortune; fortu- 
nen the ascendent] choose a 
fortunate ascendent ; fortunest 2 
pr. s. ; fortuned 3 pt. pi. hap- 
pened ; fortuned pp. ; gifted by 
Fortune CM 180 

for-waked pp. wearied out by 
watching 

forward : agreement 

forweped pp. worn out with weep- 
ing 

forwery : very weary 

forwes : furrows 

for-why conj. ad. wherefor, why, 
because 

forwityng : prescience, foreknowl- 
edge 

forwoot 3 pt. s. foreknew 

forwrapped pp. wrapped up 

foryelde inf. requite, repay 

foryete inf. forget; forgate, for- 
gete pt. s. ; forgeten, foryeten 
pp. 

f oryetful : forgetful 



FORYEVE— 



643 



— FULSOMNESSE 



foryeve inf. forgive ; foryeve 3 
imp. s., imp, pi.; foryevith imp. 
pi. ; foryevyn, foryive pp. 

fostred 3 pt. s., pp. fostered, 
brought up 

fote: foot; fote hote] foot hot, 
right away 

fother: cart-load 

foughte 3 pt. pi. fought ; foughten 
3 pt. pi., pp. 

foul sb. bird ; smale foules] song 
birds 

foul a. evil, dangerous 

foule ad. fotiUy 

f oulere : fowler 

founde pt. s., pp.; found; cf. finde 

foundred 3 pt. s. stumbled 

founes pi. fawns, bucks in the 
first year 

foure : four 

foure and twenty: John of Gaunt 
was really 29. It is suggested 
that some scribe read xxviiij as 
though it were xxiiij 

fourneys : furnace 

fourtenyght: fortnight, two weeks 

f ourty : forty 

f owel : bird; smale foweles] song 
birds 

fownde pp. found ; cf. finde 

foyne imp. let him thrust ; 
foyneth 3 pr. s. ; foynen 3 pr. pi. 

foyson : abundance 

frakenes: freckles; cf. Icel frelknur 

fram : from AS. 

franchise: liberality, nobleness OF. 

frankeleyn: the franklins were well- 
to-do farmers, householders; in 
social rank inferior to the 
knights, yet having certain dig- 
nities AF fraunkelayn 

fraternitee sb. guild OF. 

fraught pp. lade 

Fraunceys Petrark : Francesco Pe- 
trarch [1304-1374] one of the 
greatest of Italian poets, best 
known for his sonnets to Laura. 
He lived at Arqua, two miles 
from Padua 

frayneth 3 pr. s. prays AS 
fregnan 

fre, free a. free, gracious, liberal 
AS freo 



fredam, fredome: generosity AS 

freoddm 
freend, frend : friend AS freond 

n. 
freendlich a. friendly 
freeten 3 pr. pi devour ; cf. freten 

AS fretan 
freletee: frailty OF frailete 
f rely : freely 

fremde : strange AS fremde 
frend sb. friend ; cf. freend 
frendely a. friendly 
frendly ad. friendly 
frendshipe: friendship AS freond- 

scipe 
Frenssh : French 
frere: friar OF. 
fresche, freshe, fressh: fresh, 

bright, lively, frank OF fres, 

f. fresche 
fressher a. fresher, brighter 
fresshly newe : unwearyingly 
fret: gold band, ornament OF 

frete 
freten inf. devour; freeten 3 pr. 

pi. ; frete pp. AS fretan 
freut: fruit OF fruit 
freyned pp. asked AS fregnan 
Friday: Venus' day (vendredi) 
Frise: Holland, Friesland, country 

of the Frisians 
fro ad. fro Icel fra 
fro prep, from 
frosche: fresh OF fresche f. 
frothen 3 pr. pi. froth, foam Icel 

froSa 
fructes: fruits Lat fructum 
fructifie : come to fruition, bear 

fruit Lat. 
fructuous: fruitful, full of meat 

Lat. 
frutesteres : fruit-girls 
fruyt: fruit, prize 
frye inf. fry, burn OF frire 
ful a. full; atte fulle] completely 

AS. 
ful ad. fully, completely 
ful dryve: settled 

fulfild pp. filled full AS fulfyllan 
fiille a. full; cf. ful 
f ulliche : fully 
fullonge : long 
fulsomnesse : over-abundance 



FUME— 



644 



— GARGAT 



fume : the distillation of substance 
in the body OF fum 

fumetere : fumitory, earth-smoke, 
an herb OF fume-terre 

fumositee: fumes (of wine) 

furial: dreadful, as by furies op- 
pressed Lat furialis 

furie: monster. Fury OF. 

furlong way: a short distance, or 
time, a while AS furlang 

furste: first; cf. firste 

further over: moreover 

fustian: strong cloth OF fustaine 

fuyr: fire AS fyr n. 

fy interj. fie ! (with stronger sense 
than now) F fi ! 

fyght 3 pr. s. fighteth ; cf . fighte 

fyle sb. file AS feol, Merc, fil f. 

fyled pp. filed 

fylthe: filth AS fylt5 f. 

fyn, fyne sb. end, purpose OF fin 

fynaly: once for all 

fynch sb. finch, a small bird, a 
mistress AS fine 

fynde a tale : think up something 
to say ; cf. finde 

fynder : discoverer 

fyne inf. finish (followed by in- 
finitive) 

fyne a. fine ; fyne of ground] of 
fine texture OF fin 

fyneste a. finest 

fyngerynge: fingering (of strings) 

fyngres: fingers AS finger 

fynnys: fins AS finn 

fynt 3 pr. s. finds; cf. finde 

Fynystere: the Cape of Finistere, 
western France 

fyr: fire; pyre A 2914 AS fyr 

fyr : fir ; cf . fir 

fyr-reed a. fiery-red 

fyrst : first 

Fyssh: Pisces, a zodiacal sign, the 
**exaltation" of Venus 



gabbe: talk idly OF gaber 
gadereth 3 pr. s. gathers; gadered, 

gadrede pt. ; cf. Du gaderen 
gaf 3 pt. s. gave; cf. yeven 
gaitrys berys : "goat-berries," of 

the buckthorn (Sk.) AS < gate- 

treow, goat-tree 



galauntyne: a sauce F galantine 

galaxye: the Milky Way F gal- 
axie 

gale inf. sing out AS galan 

galentyne: a sauce for fowl F 
galantine 

Galgopheye : perhaps Gargaphie, 
where Actaeon was turned into 
a stag 

Galianes: "Galeus," probably an 
(intentional?) error of the Host, 
who thought Galen, like Hippoc- 
rates, must have some medicine 
named for him 

Galice: Galicia, a province in 
Spain, the seat of the shrine of 
St. James (Santiago) of Compo- 
stella 

Galien: Gallienus, emperor of Rome 
before Claudius II 

galle sb. gall; pi. feelings of 
spleen, discord AS gealla m. 

galle sb. sore spot OF galle 

galoche: shoe OF. 

galon wyn: gallon of wine OF 
galon 

galpyng : gaping, yawning ; cf. Du 
galpen "cry" 

galwes: gallows AS galga 

Galyen: Galen, a celebrated physi- 
cian of the second century, whose 
books were considered for four- 
teen centuries the highest author- 
ity on medicine 

galyngale sb. a spice of the cy- 
perus root F galingal 

game sb. game, sport, pleasure, 
jest AS gamen 

gamed pt. s. impers. it pleased 

gan pt. s. began; cf. ginne 

Ganelon: one of the knights of 
Charlemagne, whose treachery 
caused the destruction of Roland, 
Oliver and the rear guard under 
them 

ganeth 3 pr. s. yawns AS ganian 

gape inf. gape, yawn; cf. Icel 
gapa 

gappe sb. gap ; cf. Icel gap 

gapyng p. gaping 

gardyn: garden OF gardin 

gardynward: direction of the gar- 
den 

gargat: throat < OF gar gate 



GARLEEK— 



645 



— GIGGYNGE 



garleek sb. garlic AS garleac 
garlondes: garlands OF garlande 
gastly: ghastly < AS gaestan 
gat: 3 pt. s. begot; cf. gete 
gate sb. gate ; gatis pi. ; cf. Icel 

gata 
gate : 3 pt. s. refl. got ; cf. gete 
Gatesden: John Gatisden, physician 
at Oxford in fourteenth century, 
court-doctor of Edward II 
gat-tothed a. gap-toothed, with 
teeth set wide apart < Icel gat 
"hole"(?) 
gaude sb. deceit, graft; cf. OF 

gaudir "rejoice" 
gaude grene: light or yellowish 
green F gaude *'weld" a plant 
for dyeing 
gauded pp. ornamented with 
gawdies, which were the larger 
beads in the set, marking the 
Paternosters 
Gaufred: Geoffrey de Vinsauf, 
mediaeval scholar, wrote "Nova 
Poetria" shortly after the death 
of Richard I, with original mod- 
els, in bombastic and turgid 
style. One poem bewailed Rich- 
ard's death: "O Veneris lacri- 
mosa dies,'* etc. 
Gaunt: Ghent, city in Flanders, 

a center of cloth-making 
gauren inf. stare 
Gawayn : Sir Gawain, nephew and 
bravest knight of King Arthur 
in older tales 
Gawle : Chaucer translates "Galli" 

as folk of Gawle, The Gauls 
gay: gay, gaudy in dress F gai 
gayler: jailer OF geolier 
gayne : benefit Icel gagn 
gayneth pr. s. impers. gains 
Gazan : ace. of Gaza, a city on the 

plain of Philistia, south of Jaffa 
geaunt: giant OF geant 
geere: clothes, garb, equipment; 

cf. AS gearwe, Icel gervi 
geere : inconstant behavior orig. 

uncert. 
gees pi. geese AS gos, pi. ges 
geeste : geste, story of adventure ; 
pi. Gesta Romanorum, a mediae- 
val book of anecdotes OF geste 
"history" 



geestours : gestours, tellers of tales 
or gestes 

gelde inf. castrate 

gelous: jealous OF gelos 

gemmes, gemmys : gems, jewels F 
gemme 

Genelloun : Ganelon, one of Char- 
lemagne's officers, who betrayed 
the rear-guard of Charlemagne's 
army as it passed over the 
Pyrenees. The entire rear guard, 
including Roland and Oliver, was 
destroyed at Roncesvalles. Gane- 
lon was punished by being torn 
to pieces by horses 

generalle : liberal, broadly sympa- 
thetic OF general 

gent a. elegant OF. 

genterye: gentleness, noble birth, 
"gentilesse" OF genterise 

gentil: gentle, noble, well-bred 
OF. 

gentilesse: gentleness, nobility OF. 

gentilleste: noblest, most delicate 

gentilly: gently, honourably 

gentilman: gentleman 

gentils sb. pi. nobility OF. 

gentrye : ^nobility ; cf. genterye 

Genyloun: Ganelon, of Brittany; 
cf. Genelloun 

geometrie: geometry OF. 

gerdonyng : guerdoning, reward 
OF guerdoner 

gerdoun: guerdon, recompence OF 
guerdon 

gere sb. equipment ; cf. geere 

gereful : changeable 

geres pi. behaviors ; cf. geere 

gerland : cf. garland 

Gernade : Granada, in Spain 

gerner sb. garner OF gernier 

Gerounde : Gironde, a river on west 
coast of France 

gery: changeable; cf. geere 

gesse 1 pr. s. guess, think ; cf. 
Dan gissa 

gest: guest AS. 

gete inf. get, gain, regain, beget ; 
gate 3 pt. s. refl. ; gat 3 pt. s. ; 
cf. Icel geta, AS gitan 

gethe 3 pr. s. goes ; cf. gon 

geven pp. given ; cf. yive 

gide sb. guide F guide' 

giggynge p. fitting; the "guige," 



GILBERTYN— 



646 



—GOON 



or leather strap by which a 

knight's shield was slung OF 

guige 
Gilbertyn: perhaps Gilbertus An- 

glicus 
gilde: golden AS gyldan 
gile: guile OF. 
gilt: guilt AS gylt "crime" 
gilte : golden 
giltelees : guiltless 
gilty a. guilty 
ginne inf. begin, attempt ; gan 

pt. s. ; gonne, gunne 3 pt. pi. 

< AS beginnan 
gipser sb. pouch, wallet F 

gibeciere 
girdel sb. girdle AS gyrdel 
girden: strike orig. uncert. 
girles pi. youth of either sex AS 

gyrl(?) 

girt 3 pt. s., pp. girdled AS 
gyrdan 

gise: guise, fashion, dress OF 
guise 

glad, glade: glad, merry; pi. bright, 
sparkling AS glaed 

gladde, glade inf. make glad, com- 
fort; gladeth imp. pi. AS 
gladian 

glader: one who makes glad 

gladly : usually ; willingly 

gladnesse: gladness, joy; wel sette 
gladnesse] seemly or becoming 
joy 

gladsom : pleasant 

glarynge : glaring, staring 

glas : glass AS glaes n. 

glasynge : glasswork 

gledy : burning AS gled, "a coal" 

glee : entertainment AS gleo 

gleede: glowing coal, fire AS 
gled f. 

glem sb. gleam AS glsem m. 

gliterynge : glittering 

glood 3 pt. s. glided ; cf. glyde 

gloria: glory OF glorie 

glose sb. interpretation, commen- 
tary, hence margin of book ; cf. 
text F glose 

glosen inf. gloze, interpret texts, 
flatter, cajole F gloser 

glotenye: gluttony OF glotence 

glotoun: glutton F glouton 



gloweden 3 pt. pi. glowed AS 

glowan 
glowynge p. glowing, shining 
glyde inf. glide, ascend; glood 3 

pt. s. AS glidan 
glyteren 3 pr. pi. glitter; glytered 

3 pt. s. 
gnawynge p. gnawing, champing 

AS gnagan 
gnodded 3 pi. pt. rubbed; cf. 

AS gnidan 
gnow 3 pt. s. gnawed 
gobet sb. section, fragment F 

gobet 
Goddesse : goddess AS god 
Goddis poss. s. God's; pi. Gods 
godelyhede s. goodliness 
godenesse, godnesse: goodness 
godhede : divinity 
gold, golde s. gold AS gold n. 
gold-bete pp. covered with beaten 

gold 
goldene : golden 
gold-hewen : hewn of gold 
goldryng: gold ring 
goldsmythrye : goldsmith's work 
gold-threed: gold thread 
gole: mouthful of words, cackle F 

golee 
golet: throat, gullet OF goulet 
goliardeys sb. buffoon, teller of 

coarse jests 
Golias: Goliath, giant slain by 

David 
gomme: gum OF. 
gon inf. go ; goo 1 pr. s. ; goost 

2 pr. s. ; gethe, goth 3 or. s. ; 

goon 2 pr. pi. ; go imp ; goynge 

p. ; go, goon pp. ; go betj go as 

quickly as possible AS gan 
gonne sb. gun orig. uncert. 
gonne 3 pt. pi. began ; cf. ginne 
good sb. goods, property ; by his 

propre good] within his own 

income AS god 
goode sb. good 
goode a. good 
goodely:. goodly, kindly 
goodenesse: goodness 
goodlich : goodly 
goodlieste : goodliest 
gooldes: marigolds 
goon inf. go ; cf. gon ; goon with 

childe] pregnant; goon a blake- 



I 



GOON— 



647 



— GROND 



beryed] go a blackberrying, 

wandering ; up goon the trom- 

pes] the trumpets sound 
goon is: ago 
goore : a gore, part of a garment, 

met. for the garment ; under my 

goore] within my garment AS 

gara m. 
goos: goose AS gos 
goost sb. ghost, spirit ; Holy 

Ghost AS gast m. 
goost biforn : anticipatest ; cf . 

gon 
goot: goat AS gat m. 
Gootland : Gotland, an island in 

the Baltic Sea 
goshauk : goshawk AS goshafuc 
gosis: poss. goose's 
gossib: friend, gossip AS godsibb 

"God-relative." i.e. by baptismal 

sponsorship 
gossomer: gossamer, thin fabric 
gost: spirit; cf. goost 
goth 3 pr. s. ; goes ; cf. gon 
gourde: gourd, drinking vessel 

OF gourde 
goute: gout OF goutte 
governaille: control, rule OF 

gouvernail "rudder" 
governaunce : method of manage- 
ment, control, self-control OF, 
governed 3 pt. s. governed ; 

governeth 2 imp. pi. OF gov- 

erner 
governeresse : governess, mistress, 

ruler OF. 
governour: ruler, umpire OF. 
governyng sb. control, guardian- 
ship 
gowne: gown OF gone 
goynge p. going; cf. gon 
grace : grace, favor, help, mercy, 

lot ; his lady grace] his lady's 

favor OF. 
grame : harm, misery AS grama 
grammeere: grammar OF gram- 

maire 
grapenel: grapnel, grappling iron 

diminutive of OF grapin "hook" 
gras : grace 
gras: grass AS grses 
gras-tyme : the summer, when a 

horse can get grass in the fields 
Graunsome: Sir Oto de Graunson, 



knight of Savoy, in the pay of 
Richard II 

graunt sb. grant, privilege OF 
graunter 

graunt mercy of: great thanks for 

graunten inf. grant ; grauntith 
imp. s. 

grauntyng sb. granting, grant 

graven inf. carve, dig, bury AS 
grafan 

grayn: dye term; in grayn] a fast 
color, made from the grain, or 
kermes F grain 

Grece : Greece 

grece sb. grease F graisse 

gree: good part; in gree] in good- 
will F gre 

gree: rank, superiority OF gre 

greet, greete a. great, splendid ; 
the greete] the important part 
AS great 

Greke : Greek; Grekes poss. 

grene : green, usual color for arch- 
ers AS grene 

grenehede: youthful folly 

Grenewych : Greenwich, Chaucer's 
home, below Deptford 

gres: grass AS graes 

gresly: grisly, fearsome AS grislic 

gret, grete: great; cf. greete 

Grete See: the Mediterranean 

gretenesse : greatness, size 

grette pt. s. greeted AS gretan 

gretter : greater 

gretteste : greatest 

grevaunce : grievance, trouble F 
grevance 

greve inf. grieve, trouble OF 
grever 

greve sb. grove AS graf f. 

grevosly : grievously 

grevous : grievous 

grew pt. pi. grew ; cf. growe 

greye: grey AS grseg 

greyn : grain OF grain 

griffon: griffin, fabulous beast, half 
lion, half eagle OF. 

Grisil : Grisel, name for a gray 
horse 

Grisildis: Griselda 

grisly: horrible, awful AS grislic 

grobbe inf. grub orig. uncert. 

grond: 3 pt. s. ground AS grin- 
dan 



GRONTE— 

gronte 3 pt. s. groaned AS 

granian 
grope inf. test, feel AS gropian 
grot: atom, particle AS grot 
grot: groat, small coin ODu 

groot 
grounded pp. well versed in 
growe inf. grow; grew pt. pi. 

AS growan 
groynynge: murmuring of discon- 
tent 
grucche inf. grumble; grucchen 

pr. pi. OF grouchier 
gruf ad. groveling, on his face ; cf. 

grovel 
grym, grymme : grim, fierce AS 

grim 
grynt 3 pr. s. grindeth 
grys sb. an expensive grey fur, 

very stylish at this time OF gris 
grysely : horrible 
gunne 3 pi. pt. began ; cf. ginne 
guy imp. pi. guide ; cf. gye OF 

gui 
gyde sb. guide 
gyden inf. guide, conduct 
gye inf. guide, lead; guy imp. pi. 
gyle: guile, deceit OF. 
gyn :' machine, device OF engin 
gyngebreed: ginger bread OF 

gingebras 
gynglen inf. jingle. Bridles were 

often decorated with small bells 
gypoun: a doublet, tunic OF 

jupon 
gyse: manner, custom OF guise 
gyterne: kind of guitar OF gui- 

terne 
gytes pi. mantel; cf. OF guite 

**hat" 

H 

haberdasshere sb. haberdasher, 
merchant of hats, or of pins, 
buttons, etc. ; cf. AF hapertas 

habergeoun : a short hauberk, or 
coat-of-mail OF haubergeon 

habitacioun: habitation OF habi- 
tation 

habounde inf. abound F abonder 

Habradate: Abradates, king of 
Susi 

habundance : abundance 



648 — HARDELY 



habundant : abundant 
habundantly : abundantly 
hachis: hatches AS haecc f. 
haddist 3 pt. s. hadst ; haddyn 

3 pt. pi. ; cf. have 
haire: hair-shirt AS hser f. 
hakeney: hackney; cf. OF haque- 

nee, and Hackney 
hakke inf. hack AS haccian 
haldist 2 pr. s. boldest; cf. holde 
hale inf. draw; cf. AS geholian 
half wey pryme : 7.30, half way 

from 6 to 9 
halfe sb. side, behalf; a goddes 

halfe] in God's name AS healf 
halfe a. half 
halfe word : equivocation 
halke : hiding-place 
hallis : halls AS heal 
hals: neck; (ace. of reference) 

AS heals 
halse 1 pr. s. conjure AS heal- 

sian 
halt 3 pr. s. holds; cf. holde 
halte a. lame AS healt 
halwed pp. blessed AS halgian 
halwes pi. saints, used to denote 

saint's shrines; halwes twelve] 

the twelve disciples of Christ 

AS halig "holy" 
Haly: Arabian physician of elev- 
enth century 
halyday : holyday 
hamer sb. hammer AS hamer 
han inf., 3 pr. pi. have; cf. have 

AS hablem 
handes pi. hands AS hand m. 
hangyn inf. hang; hongeth 3 pr. 

s. ; heeng, heng, henge pt. s., pi. ; 

honge 3 pt. pi. ; hyng 3 pt. s. 

AS hongion 
Hanybal ; Hannibal, Carthaginian 

general, defeated Rome at Pla- 

centia. Lake Trasimenus, and 

Cannae, B. C. 218-217 
happe sb. chance, luck, good for- 
tune ; cf. Icel happ 
happe, happyn inf. happen, occur; 

happith 3 pr. s. ; happed, happede 

3 pt. s. 
harder hard; harde grace] misery 

AS heard 
harde pp. heard ; cf. here 
hardely, hardily: certainly, surely 



HARDINESSE— 



649 



— HELE 



hardinesse: boldness 

hardnesse : cruelty 

hardy: strong, brave F hardi 

hardyng: hardening 

harlotrye : ribaldry ; pi. ribald jests 

OF. 
harme s. harm, injury, evil AS 

hearm 
harmeful : harmful, evil 
harneised pp. equipped, decorated 

OF harneschier 
barneys : armor F harnais 
harome : harm ; cf. harme 
harpe sb. harp AS hearpe 
harpyng sb. playing upon the harp 
harre sb. hinge AS heorra 
harrow! interj. alas! 
hart: heart; cf. herte 
hartely: heartily, truly 
haryed pp. dragged along AS 

hergian "ravage" 
hasard: gambling OF. 
hasardour : gamester 
hasardrye: dicing, gaming 
Hasdrubales: Hasdrubal, a Car- 
thaginian general 
hasel: hazel-tree AS haesel 
hastely : hastily 
hastif: hasty OF hasti 
hastifliche : hastily 
hastiliche : hastily 
hastou, hastow 2 pr. s. hast thou ; 

cf. have 
hate sb. hatred AS hete m. 
hate 1 pr. s. hate AS hatian 
hath 3 pr. s. has, there is; cf. 

have 
haubergeoun : coat of mail ; cf. 

habergeoun 
hauberke: coat of mail OF hau- 

berc 
hauk sb. hawk AS hafoc 
hauke inf. hawk, hunt with the 

hawk 
haukyng: hawking 
haunt: abode, region; practice, 

skill ; dictrict covered by one 

man OF hanter 
haunteth 3 pr. s. makes a practice 

of 
hautayn, hauteyn : proud, high- 
sounding F hautain 
have, han, havyn inf. have, keep ; 

hastow 2 pr. s. hast thou ; hath 



3 pr. s. ; han 3 pr. pi ; haddist 2 

pt. s. ; haddyn 3 pt. pi. ; have 

3 pr. s. subj. AS habben 
haven: port 

havyn inf. have ; cf. have 
hawberk: hauberk OF hauberc 
hawe : haw, fruit of dog-rose AS 

haga 
hawebake: a baked haw, husk for 

a famished man ; hence, plain 

food 
hawethorn : hawthorn AS haga- 

Jjorn 
hayl sb. hail AS haegel 
hayle inf. hail 
Hayles: Hailes, in Gloucester 
he . . . he . . . he used as dem. 

pron. this one, that one, an- 
other, etc. 
healle inf. heal ; heeled pp. AS 

hselan 
Hebrayk a. Hebraic, Hebrew 
hed, hede, heed: head AS heafod n. 
heede sb. heed AS hedan 
heeld 3 pt. s. held; cf. holde 
heele sb. health AS haelu f. 
heelp inf. help ; cf. helpe 
heeng 3 pt. s., pi. hanged; cf. 

hangyn 
heep sb. heap, crowd, lot AS 

heap 
heer sb. hair ; heeris pi. AS hser 
heer ad. here AS her 
heer-biforn : heretofore 
heere inf. hear ; cf. here 
heerforth: in this direction 
heerupon : hereupon 
heeste: command AS hses f. 
heete 3 pr. s. promise; cf. hete 
heete sb. vow ; cf. AS gehat 
heeth sb. heath, field AS haetS 
hegges: hedges; cf. AS hege m. 
heigh, heih a. high; in heigh and 

lough] under all circumstances, 

completely AS heah 
heigh, heighe ad. high 
hel, helle : Hades, Hell, torment 

AS hell 
helde inf. hold ; pt. s. held ; cf. 

holde AS healdan 
hele sb. health, well-being AS 

hallu 
hele inf. conceal AS helan 
hele inf. heal AS hselan 



HELME— 



650 



— HEVENELYCHE 



helme : helmet AS. 

helmed pp. protected by a helmet 

OF < AS. 
Helowys: Heloise, wife of Abelard, 

great teacher of Xllth century, 

retired to a convent 
helpe s. help, aid ; do helpe] aid, 

assist AS help 
helpe, heelp inf. help, assist ; heelp 

3 pt. s. ; helpe 3 pr. s. subj., 

imp. ; holpen pp. AS helpan 
helplees: helpless 
hem : them 
hende : courteous, gentle AS 

gehenda "near" 
heng, henge 3 pt. s., pi. hanged; 

cf. hangyn 
henne : hence AS heona, hine 
hente inf. acquire, seize, grip ; 

hente pt. s. ; hent pp. AS henton 
hepe : hip ; fruit of the dog-rose 

AS heope 
hepe: heap, number; cf. heep 
her: hair AS haer 
heraud: herald OF. 
herbe y ve : herb, ivy, ground-pine 
herbergage : lodging, • furnishing, 

lodgings OF. 
herbergeours : purveyors of lodging 
herberwe : harbor, inn, position in 

the ecliptic; cf. Icel herbergi 
herberwynge : harboring 
Hercules: son of Zeus and Alc- 

mene 
herd : hard 

herde sb. herdsman AS hierde 
herde 3 pt. s. heard ; cf. here 
here sb. hair AS hser 
here : their 
here, heere inf. hear ; herde 3 pt. 

s. ; harde, herd, herde pp. ; 

heere 2 imp. s. AS heran 
herebefore, herebeforne : previous- 
ly, a while ago 
Herenus: the Erinnys, or Fates 
Hereos (med.) the malady of love 
herieth 3 pr. s. praises ; heryen 

3 pr. pi. ; heryed pp. AS herian 
heris pi. hair, hairs ; cf. here 
herith 3 pr. s. hears ; cf. here 
heriynge sb. praise 
herkene, herkne inf. listen, bark- 
en ; herkenyth, herkneth imp. 

AS hercnian 



Hermanno : really Herennianus, . 
son of Zenobia 

Hermengyld: Ermengild 

Hermyon : Hermione 

heme: corner, nook AS liyrne 

Herodes s., pi. Herod; Herod 
ordered the slaughter of the 
Innocents in Bethlehem ; cf. 
Matt. ii. 16 

heronsewes : heronsaw, hernsaw, 
heron OF heronceau 

heroun: heron OF heron 

Herro: Hero, beloved of Leander 
at Sestos 

Herry: Harry 

herse : hearse, in the sense of bier, 
or of a body lying in state OF 
herce 

hert: hart, stag AS heort 

herte sb. heart AS heorte 

herte 3 pt. s. hurt OF heurter 

herte-blood: heart's blood 

hertely a. hearty 

hertely ad. sincerely, cordially 

herte-roote: "bottom of one's 
heart" 

herte-spoon: breast-bone 

herye 3 pr. pi. praise; cf. herieth 
AS herian 

herytage: heritage OF heritage 

heste : behest, command AS hses 

Hester: Esther, queen of Ahasue- 
rus; cf. the Book of Esther 

hete sb. heat AS hsitu f. 

hete inf. promise,, be named; het, 
heete, hete, highte pr. s. ; het, 
hete, hight pt. ; hyght pp. 

heterly : fiercely ; cf. Low Ger bet- 
ter "irritating" 

hethen sb. heathen ; another 

hethen] a different heathen from 
AS hsetSen 

Hethenesse : heathen lands 

hette 3 pt. s. heated AS hsetan 

heve inf. heave, lift AS hebban 

hevedes, hevedis: heads AS heafod 

heven, hevene : heaven ; hevene and 
lia] heaven (coelum) and Leah 
(the busy wife) ; hevene of peo- 
ple] < coelum + leos (gr. peo- 
ple) ; hevenes lilie] < coeli lilia, 
fanciful etymologies for Cecilia 
AS heofon m. 

hevenelyche : heavenly 



HEVENYSH— 651 — HORNCHILD 


hevenysh : heavenly, of the heav- 


holwe a. hollow AS holh 


enly bodies 


holy : wholly, entirely 


hevyness: heaviness, despondency, 


holyday: holy day, holiday 


sorrow AS hefige 


horn : whom 


hewe : hue, color, complexion AS 
heovv n. 


homage : homage ; did homage] 


acknowledged as lord OF. 


hewed a. hued 




hewen inf. cut, hew AS heawan 


hom-comynge; cf. hoom-comynge 


hey: hay AS heg 
heyest: highest 


homward: homeward 


homycide: murderer OF homicide 


heye-weye : highway 


hond, honde s. hand, oath ; of 


heyre-clowt: hair-cloth AS cliit 


hir hond] of arms AS hand f. 


m. 


hondred: hundred AS hundred 


heyres: heirs OF heir 


honeste, honestee, honestetee sb. 


heysoge: hedge-sparrow, "hay- 


honesty, decency OF honeste 


suck" 


honeste a. honorable, decent OF. 


hider ad. hither AS. 


honge 3 pt. pi. hanged; cf. 


hidouse: hideous OF hidous 


hangyn 


hidously : hideously 


hongeth 3 pr. s. hangs; cf. 


hie ad. high AS heah 


hangyn 


hierde: shepherd AS hierde m. 


honneure inf. honor; honoureth 


high: in a high pitch 


3 pr. s. ; honouren 3 pr. pi. subj. ; 


highte 3 pr. s. was named; cf. 


honured pp. OF honourer 


hete 


honouren pi. s. ; cf. honneure 


hil: hill AS hyll m. 


honurable: honorable 


hipes, hypes sb. pi. hips AS 


hony: honey AS hunig 


hype m. 


hoode sb. hood AS h5d 


hir pers. pron., dat. and ace. to 


hoodeles: hoodless, unprotected 


her, her 


from weather 


hir, hire poss. her, their 


hool a. whole, well, entire AS 


hires: her 


hoi 


hise: his 


hoold sb. castle; cf. AS heald 


historial: historic 


hoold imp. hold ; cf. holde 


hit pron. it 


hoole sb. hole 


hitte pt. s. hit; cf. Icel hitta 


hoole ad. wholly 


ho: who AS hwa 


hooly a. holy 


hod: hood AS hod 


hooly ad. wholly, entirely 


Hogge: Hodge, nickname for 


hoolynesse: holiness 


Roger 


hoom ad. home AS ham m. 


hogges poss. hog's AS hogga 


hoom-comynge : home-coming 


hoke: hook AS hoc m. 


hoomely, hoomly : simply, unos- 


hold, holde inf., 1 pr. s. hold, 


tentatiously 


keep, possess, consider; haldist 


hoor: hoary AS har 


2 pr. s. ; halt, halte 3 pr. s. ; 


hoord: hoard, treasure AS hord 


heeld, helde 3 pt. s. ; hoold imp. ; 


hoot, hoote a. hot ; cf . humour 


holde pp. AS healdan 


AS hat 


hole sb- hole, hollow AS hoi n. 


hoote ad. hotly 


hole a. all AS hal 


hoppen 1 pr. pi. dance AS hop- 


holly: wholly, entirely 


pian 


holm: oak (evergreen) AS holen(?) 


hoppesteres a. dancing 


holour: lecher OF holier 


horde sb. hoard, much money AS 


holpen pp. helped; cf. helpe 


hord n. m. 


holsum : wholesome 


hore: grayhaired AS har 


holt: grove AS holt n. 


Hornchild: King Horn, or Horn 



HORNE— 

Childe, a Middle English metri- 
cal romance 

home : horn, bugle ; drinking horn 
AS horn m. 

horowe : foul AS horig 

hors: horse AS. 

horse a. hoarse AS has 

horsly: horselike, thoroughbred 

hosen pi. hose AS hose 

hostelry e: inn OF hostelerie 

hostileer: inn-keeper OF hosteller 

hote: hot; fote hote] foot hot, 
right away, hastily AS hat 

hou : how 

houndes, houndys pi. hounds AS 
hund 

houres: hours; kepte in houres] 
treated him according to the as- 
trological hours; watched for 
times when the planets were in 
the proper position for favorable 
treatment OF hore 

hous sb. house ; one of the 12 
parts of the zodiacal circle ; 
derkeste hous] Scorpio (Sk.) ; 
Hous of Fame] The House of 
Fame, poem by Chaucer AS 
hus 

housbond: husband Icel husbondi 

housbondrie: economy 

houses of office: servants' quarters 

housholdere : householder 

how! inter j. hoi 

how, howe ad. how, in what man- 
ner 

how; however 

howped pt. pi. whooped OF 
houper 

howve: hood; sette his howve] 
make him look foolish AS hufe 

huge: great; cf. OF ahuge 

Hugelyn of Pyze : Ugolino of Pisa, 
slain July, 1288 

Hugh of Lyncoln: Hugh of Lin- 
coln, a boy of eight, was sup- 
posed to have been murdered by 
Jews at Lincoln in 1255 

Hulle : Hull, seaport on east coast 
of England 

humanitee : kindness F. 

humblely: humbly 

humblesse: humbleness 

humour sb. element or quality. 
Ancient medicine was based up- 



652 —HYPES 



on Galen's idea of the four ele- 
ments: earth, air, fire, and 
water, and the four humours or 
qualities: hot, cold, dry, moist. 
A man's temperament depended 
upon the combinations of these 
qualities. Sickness was supposed 
to result from an excess of one 
or more of these. Each part of 
the body could be affected; thus 
the liver might have an excess 
of hot, or of dry, or of both 
OF humor 

humylitee : humility 

hunderede: hundred 

hungir: hunger AS hungor 

hunte sb. huntsman ; huntys pi. 
AS hunta m. 

hunten inf. hunt AS huntian 

huntere: hunter 

hunteresse: huntress 

huntynge : hunting 

hurte 3 pt. s. hurt; cf. OF hurter 

hurtelyn 3 pr. pi hurtle, drive, 
dash; hurtleth 3 pr. s. < 
"hurt" -\- frequentative -le 

hurtes pi. hurts 

hust pp. hushed 

huwes sb. color AS hiw 

hy, hye a. lofty 

hyde inf. hide; hydestow 2 pr. s. 
AS hydan 

hyderward: in this direction 

hye sb. haste < AS higian 

hye inf. hasten, hie ; imp. ; hyed 
pt. pi. AS higian 

hyene: hyena, the gall of which 
was a cure for weak eyes OF. 

hyer a. higher, upper ; hadde the 
hyer bond] gained the victory 

hyeste : highest 

hyeweye : highway 

hyght pp. called; cf. hete 

hylde pt. s. bent AS hyldan 

hym dat. of reference 

hynd: hind, doe AS hind f. 

hyndre inf. hinder, interfere with 
AS hindrian 

hyndreste a. hindermost 

hyne sb. hind, farm-hand AS 
hina m. 

hyng 3 pt. s. hung; cf. hangyn 

hypes: hips AS hype 



HYRE— 



653 



— ITAWGHT 



hyre sb. hire, pay ; sette to hyre] 

sub-let to another AS hyrian 
hyre : their 
hyred pp. hired 



I 



I, ik pers. pron. I ; common pre- 
fix of pp. ; cf. Y 

ibenched: couched < AS bene 

iboundyn pp. bound AS bunden 

ibroke pp. broken AS brocen 

ibroudede : embroidered OF broude 

icorounede pp. crowned OF. 

ido pp. done, ended; cf. don 

Idus: Ides, 15 March Lat. 

ifounded pp. founded, set AS 
fundian 

ignoraunce : ignorance OF. 

i-halowed: view-hallooed (of hert) 
OF halloer 

ik pers. pron. I 

iknyt pp. knit, bound AS cnyt- 
tan 

ilke: same, very AS ilea 

illusioun: illusion OF. 

iloryn pp. lost AS loren < 
leosan 

Ilyoun: Ilion or Ilium, the Greek 
name for Troy, is used by Chau- 
cer as though it were not the 
same place. This is probably 
because in Guido delle Colonne 
Ilion is used as the name of the 
citadel of Troy 

imaginacioun : imagination OF. 

imakid pp. made AS macod < 
macian 

impertinent: not appertaining OF. 

importable : unendurable OF. 

impressioun : remembrance OF. 

in sb. inn AS inn, in 

in conseil: secretly OF. 

In principio: The friars constantly 
quoted the text, "In principio 
erat verbum," **in the beginning 
was the word," John i. 1, as 
they went from house to house 

In principio mulier est hominis 
contusio: Woman, from the be- 
ginning, has been man's ruin 
(Vincent of Beauvais, Speculum 
Historiale X. 71) 



in the gilt: at fault 

inclinacioun: inclination, tendency 
due to natal star OF. 

incubus: sprite, fiend Lat. 

Inde: India OF. 

indulgence: permission OF. 

inequal : unequal ; houre inequal] 
the astrological hours varied 
with the time of year, the period 
of daylight being always divided 
into twelve hours Lat in- 
sequalis 

infect a. invalid A 320 The 
sergeant could clear up any 
tangles or limitations in the title, 
and transfer the property in fee 
simple Lat. 

infecte inf. infect Lat infectus 

infeere a. together in + AS 
gefera 

infortunat a. carrying misfortune 
Lat infortunatus 

infortune: misfortune OF. 

iniquitee sb. evil OF. 

inmortal: immortal OF. 

inne prep, in 

inned pp. provided inns, lodged 

Innocent III: 1161-1216, Pope 

inome pp. taken AS genomen 

inow, inowh : enough AS genoh 

inportable : insufferable, unbearable 
OF. 

inpossible: sb. an impossibility OF. 

inquisityf: inquisitive OF. 

inspired pp. filled with life or ani- 
mation OF inspirer 

instreumentis : instruments OF 
instrument 

instrument : musical instrument 

intresse : interest, concern Lat 
interesse "usury'* 

inwith : within 

ipeyntede pp. painted OF peint 

< peindre 
iren : iron 

Isaude: Isolt, Iseult, Isolde; cf. 

Tristram 
istede : instead 
istrike pp. struck AS gestricen 

< strican 

isworn pp. sworn AS gesworen 

< swerian 

itawght pp. taught AS getaht < 
tsecan 



ITHEWID— 



654 



—JOVINIAN 



ithewid a. or pp. trained, accus- 
tomed AS ]?eaw "manner" 

iwaxe pp. become AS weaxan 

iwounde pp. wounded AS ge- 
wundod 

iwreten, iwretyn pp. written AS 
gewriten < writan 

iwroken pp. avenged AS ge- 
wrocen < wrecan 

iwrought, iwrowht pp. wrought 
AS gewocht < wircan 



jade : poor horse ; cf. Icel jada 

"mare" 
Jakke of Dovere: Jack of Dover, 

probaby a warmed-over pastry 
Jakke Straw: Jack Straw, leader 

of riots in London (1381) 
jalous, jalowse: jealous (fol. by 

over) OF jalous 
jalousie: jealousy OF. 
jambeux : plates to protect the 

shins OF. 
Jame: James, at whose shrine the 

Wife had been as pilgrim 
jane : a small silver coin of Genoa, 

whence the name 
Janekyn : Jenkin 
jangelynge : jangling, chattering 

OF j angler 
jangle 3 pr. pi. chatter; jangleth 

2 pr. s. 
janglere : noisy fellow, chatterer 
jangleresse: loose talker 
janglyng: disputing 
Jankyn : Johnny ; priests were 

called Sir John 
Janus: Bifrons, the Roman god of 

beginnings, two-faced 
jape sb. trick, jest OF. 
jape inf. jest, play tricks ; japed 

pp. tricked 
Jason: the leader of the Argonauts 

in the quest for the Golden 

Fleece, which he gained by the 

aid of Medea, q. v. 
jay: a bird which can be taught 

a few words OF jai 
Jay tout perdu mon temps et mon 

labour: I have lost my tim.e and 

my pains 
jeet: jet OF jet 
jelosye: jealousy OF. 



jelous: jealous OF jalous 

Jepte : Jephthah, judge of Israel ; 
(cf. Book of Judges xi) 

Jeremye : Jeremiah (iv) 

Jerome : "Adversus Jovinianum" 
Libri II, a Latin work of St. 
Jerome (d. 420), directed against 
a monk who held widows and 
married women equal in grace 
with virgins 

jet: fashion; newe jet] latest style 
OF get 

jeupardyes pi. jeopardies, dangers ; 
problems in chess, situations or 
positions of chess men OF jeu 
parti "a game with even 
chances" 

jeweles pi. jewels OF juel 

Jewerye: Jewry, Jewish quarter 

Jewes poss. pi. Jews' ; Jewes work] 
perhaps damascened work, or in- 
laid work 

Jobes: Job's 

Joce: St. Josse, confused by the 
wife with Sir Joce, whose treat- 
ment of his wife deserved and 
received a reward similar to that 
of the Wife ; (cf. Jean de Meung, 
"Testament," 461 f. Skeat) 

jocunde: merry Lat jocundus 

jogelours: jugglers OF jogleor 

jogelrye: act of jugglery OF. 

John: the Nun's Priest 

joie: joy OF. 

jolif: jolly OF. 

jolitee: enjoyment, comfort, fun 
OF. 

joly: pretty, merry OF. 

jolyer: more handsome 

jolynesse: merriment 

jolyte: jollity 

Jon: John 

Jonas: Jonah 

Jonathas: Jonathan 

Joseph : son of Jacob, gained a 
high position in Egypt through 
his interpretation of Pharaoh's 
dream of the seven lean kine 
which devoured the seven fat 
kine. Cf. Genesis xl. 41 

journee: day's march OF. 

Jovinian: object of Jerome's at- 
tack in his treatise "Adv. Jovin- 
ianum" ; cf. Jerome 



JOYE— 

joye: joy 

joynant a. adjoining OF joignant 

joyned pt. s. joined, let touch 
OF joindre 

Jubaltar: Gibraltar 

Judicum: the Book "of Judges" 
Lat (gen. pi. used) 

Judith: Judith of Bethulia, slew 
Holofernes, captain of the host, 
and saved her people, Cf. the 
"Book of Judith," in the "Apoc- 
rypha" 

jueles: jewels OF juel 

juge sb. judge OF. 

juge 1 pr. s. judge 

juggement: judgment, decision OF, 

Julius: Julius Caesar 

Juno: the consort of Jove, and 
queen of Olympus 

jupartie: jeopardy OF jeu parti 
"game with even chances" 

juste inf. joust, fight in tourna- 
ment OF j ouster 

justes pi. as s. tournament OF 
justes 

justise sb. judge ; administration 
of justice 

Juvenal: satirist of later Roman 
empire 

juwise, juyse: judgment, sentence 
OF juise 

K 

kable: rope OF cable 

kaityf: villain OF caitif 

kakelynge : cackling 

kalkuled: calculated OF calculer 

kan pr. s., pi. know, knows, can; 

cf. konne AS can 
kanstow 2 pr. s. canst thou ; cf. 

konne 
karf 3 pt. s. cleft AS ceorfan 
katapuce : caper-spurge F cata- 

puce 
kaught pt. s., pi. caught; cf. 

cacche, OF cachier 
Kaukasous : Caucasus, mountains 

between Caspian and Black Seas 
kaute pp. caught ; cf. cacche 
kaves: caves OF, 
kaynard: sluggard, fool OF cag- 

nard 
Kayrrud: "Red Town," an un- 



655 — KNELED 



known place in Brittany Celt 

Kerr (town) -|- rud (red) 
keen : cows AS cu ; pi. cy, eye, 

gen. cyna 
keene: bold AS cene 
keep sb. notice, heed; take keep] 

pay heed to AS cepan 
kembd pp. combed AS camb 
kempe: coarse (of hair) (PAS 

cempa "champion") 
kempt pp. combed 
ken: kin, men; al ken] all men, 

mankind AS cynn 
kende pp. know, discern ; cf. 

konne 
kene a, keen, sharp AS cene 
kene ad. keenly 
Keneln: king of Mercia in the 

ninth century, murdered as a 

child 
kep, kepe sb. heed; take kepe] 

observe ; cf. keep 
kepe inf. take care of, keep ; 

good to kepe] worth returning 

to, or sticking to 
kepere sb. ruler, prior 
kept pp. protected; from pirates 

or privateers 
kepynge p. pr. keeping; cf. kepe 
kertelis : kirtles, frock AS cyrtel 
kerve inf. cut ; korven, korvyn pp. 

AS ceorfan 
kervere : carver 
kervyng sb. carving 
kesse inf. kiss ; keste 3 pt. s. AS 

cyssan 
keverede pp. covered OF covrir 
keye : key AS cseg f. 
kichenes : kitchens AS cycene 
kike inf. kick orig, unkn. 
kind, kinde sb. nature AS cynd 

fn. 
king: king AS cyning 
kisse inf. kiss; kys 2 imp. s. ; kist 

pp. AS cysson 
kitte 3 pt, s. cut; cf. kutte 
knakkes pi. tricks 
knarre sb. knot, knotty muscled 

fellow; cf. LG knarre 
knarry a. gnarled 
knave : boy, servant ; knave-child] 

male child AS cnafa 
knavyssh : knavish 
kneled 3 pt, s. knelt AS cneowlian 



KNELYNGE— 



656 



— LANGWISSHETH 



knelynge : kneeling 

knette inf. bind ; knet pp. ; cf . 
knytte 

knewe, knewh pt. s., pi., pt. s. subj. 
knew ; cf. knowen 

knight of the shire : the representa- 
tive in Parliament of the county 
at large 

knobbes pi. blotches; cf. LG 
knobbe 

knokkeden 3 pt. pi. knocked AS 
cnocian 

knotte sb. knot AS cnotta 

knowen inf. know; knowestow 2 
pr. s. ; knowe pp. AS cnawan 

knowes: knees AS cneow n. 

knowlachynge : knowing, knowl- 
edge 

knowynge s. knowledge 

knyf: knife, dagger AS cnif 

knyghte : knight 

knyghthod, knyghthede : knight- 
hood 

knytte inf. knit; knyttest 3 pr. s. 
puttest thyself in conjunction (in 
astronomical sign) B 306 ; knyt 
pp. AS cnyttan 

kok: cock AS coc 

kon imp. acknowledge; cf. konne 

konne inf. be able, know how, 
know ; kan pr. s., pi. ; kanstow 
2 pr. s. ; konne 2 pr. s. ; koude, 
kouthe pt. ; kende, kouth, kowthe 
pp. AS cunnan, pr. cann 

konnyng : skill 

konnyngly : skillfully 

korven, korvyn pp. carved, cut; 
cf. kerve 

koude pt. knew, could; cf. konne 

kouth pp. known; cf. konne 

kouthe pt. could, knew how ; cf. 
konne 

kowthe pp. well known ; cf. konne 

kunnynge: cunning, skillful 

kutte inf. cut ; kitte 3 pt. s. ; kut 
pp. ; orig. unkn. 

kyd pp. disclosed AS cy?5an 

kylle inf. kill; cf. AS cwellan 

kynde sb. nature, species; by 
kynde] according to its natural 
function; by wey of kynde] in 
the course of nature AS gecynd 
fm. 

kynde a. kind 



kyndely ad. naturally 

kyndely a. natural, kindly 

kyndenesse: kindness 

kyndled pp. kindles; cf. Icel 

kynda 
kyngis poss. king's 
kynrede sb. kindred, family AS 

cynn *'race'* -|- rseden "rule" 
kys 2 imp. s. kiss; cf. kisse 
kyte: kite, bird of prey AS cyta 
kythe inf. disclose, show ; kytheth 

3 pr. s. ; kyd pp. AS yt5an 



laas, las: lace, cord, snare OF 
laz 

labbyng: blabbing, babbling; cf. 
Du labben 

laboure inf. labor OF labour 

Lacedomya : Laodamia 

Lacedomye : Lacedaemonia, Sparta 

lacerte : muscle OF. 

lacynge : lacing 

lad pp. led; cf. lede 

ladde 3 pt. s., pi. took, led; cf. 
lede 

ladel: ladle AS hl^del 

ladi: lady AS hlsefdie 

ladishippe : ladyship 

lady : lady ; poss. lady's 

lafte 3 pt. s. ; pp. neglected, 
ceased ; cf. leve 

lak, lakke sb. lack, defect; cf. 
Dan lak *'slander" 

lake: linen; cf. G laken 

lakketh pr. s. lacks ; lakked pt. ; 
cf. lak 

lambyssh : lamb-like 

Lamek, Lamekys poss. Lamech, 
the first practicer of polygamy. 
Genesis iv. and v. He was the 
father of Jubal and Jubal-Cain; 
cf. Tuballe 

Lamedon: Laomedon, father of 
King Priam of Troy 

lamentacioun : lamentation OF. 

Lameth : Lamech 

Lamwel: Lemuel, the king (Prov- 
erbs xxxi. 1) 

langage sb. language; fair Ian- 
gage] flattery OF. 

langour: pain, torment OF. 

langwissheth 3 pr. s. languishes; 
langwissing p. OF languir 



LANGUYSSYNGE— 



657 



— LEEVESTOW 



languyssynge pr. p. langtiishing 

lanterne : lantern OF. 

Laodomya : Laodamia, wife of 

Protesilaus, chose to die with 

him 
lappa sb. lap, fold of garment, 

wrapper iVS laeppa 
lappeth : embraceth 
lapwynge : lapwing AS hleape- 

wince 
large a. free, generous; at his 

large] at liberty OF. 
large ad. freely 

largesse: generosity, nobility OF. 
larke : lark AS lawerce 
las: leash, net, snare OF laz 
lasch sb. lash ; cf. Du lasch 
lasse a, less; lasse and moore] 

both smaller and greater AS 

Isessa 
lasse ad. less 
last pi. loads; last quade yeer] 

wagon-load of bad years AS 

hlaest 
last, laste inf., 3 pr. s. ; 3 pt. s., 

pi. last, endure ; lasteth 3 pr. s. 

AS Isestan 
lat imp. allow; cf. lette 
laten blood pp. let blood, drained 

off the gravy, that it might keep 

longer ; cf. lette 
laton, latoun: latten, a brass alloy 

OF laton 
Latumyus: friend of Arrius 
Latyn, Latyne sb. Latin 
laude sb. praise F laude 
laughe inf. laugh ; lough 3 pt. s. ; 

laughan pp. AS hlehhan 
launcegay: a kind of lance OF 

lanegaie 
Launcelet: Sir Launcelot, chief 

knight in Arthur's court 
launde: clearing, dale OF lande 
laurer, laurier: laurel OF laurier 
lauriat: laureate, crowned with 

laurel Lat laureatus 
lavender: laundress OF lavandier 
lavours: lavers, basins OF laveoir 
Lavyne : Lavinia, whom ^neas 

married after he reached Italy 
lawe : law ; lawe in kind] law of 

nature AS lagu f. 
lawghe inf. laugh AS hlehhan 
lawghtre: laughter AS hleahtor 



lawghynge p. laughing 
lawrer: laurel OF laurier 
lawriol: spurge-laurel OF laureole 
laxatyf: lavative, purge OF laxa- 

tif 
lay sb. lay, song OF lai < Celt 

laoi "poem" 
lay sb. law, faith OF lei 
lay 3 pt. s., pi. ; cf. lye 
layneres: thongs: with layneres 
lacynge] with fastening up of 
straps OF laniere 
lazar: leper Lat Lazarus (Luke 

xvi. 20) 
Leandre: Leander, lover of Hero, 
who frequently swam the Helles- 
pont to see her, and was finally 
drowned in a storm 
leche: leech, physician AS Isece 
lechecraft: skill in medicine 
lecherous a. sensual OF. 
lecherye: lust OF. 
lechour: lewd fellow OF lecheor 
lede inf. bring; ledith pr. s. ; leden 
pr. pi; ladd pt. s., pi.; lad pp. 
AS Isldan 
leden sb. speech; ledene dat. AS 

leden , 
ledith pr. s. leads; cf. lede 
leed sb. kettle, the kitchen-copper, 
sometimes built in permanently 
with grate, or furnace, below 
AS lead n. 
leed sb. lead 

leef sb. leaf; leef or with the 
flour. Lb 72, an apparent refer- 
ence to a courtly debate among 
poets in Chaucer's time AS leaf 
n. 
leef a. lief, gladly AS leof 
leefful: permissible AS leaf -|- ful 
leeges: lieges, subjects OF liege 
leene a. lean AS hlaene 
leep 3 pt. s. leaped AS hleapan 
leere sb. the loin, flank ME lire; 

cf. Icel Iser 
leere inf. learn AS leornian 
leese inf. lose ; cf. lese AS leosan 
leeste: least 

leet pt. s. let; leet he slyde] he 
neglected ; leet do] ordered to 
make ; cf. lette 
leeve a. dear AS leofe 
leevestow: believest thou; cf. leve 



LEEVETH— 



658 



— LICENCIAT 



leeveth pr. believes; cf. leva 

lefere : gladder, more welcome 

left pp. left, neglected; cf. leva 

legenda: story, often religious OF. 

lagges: legs; cf. Icel leggr 

laid pp. laid 

lakes pi. leeks AS leac 

lames: beams AS leoma 

lames: limbs AS lim 

lemman : lover, mistress AS leof 

**dear" + mann 
lane inf., imp. lend, give AS 

laenan 
lane a. lean, thin AS hlsene 
langar a. longer AS. 
langar ad. longer; ever lenger 

the more] the longer I love and 

dread you, the more I do Pi 95 
langast: longest 
lengtha: length, height; upon 

lengthe] after a long run AS 

leng>u 
Lante: Lenten time 
laonassa : lioness 
laonyn: lion-like OF leonin 
laorna inf. learn AS leornian 
lacs : people ; cf. haven 
leoun : lion ; the constellation Leo, 

of which the principal star is 

called Regulus (royal) 
Lapa: a town in Spain 
lara inf. learn ; larad pp. AS 

laeran 
lerna inf. learn, teach; larnad pp. 

AS leornian 
larnyd a. learned, educated 
larnynga sb. learning 
lesa sb. leash OF lesse 
lasa inf. lose, ruin ; lasath 3 pr. s. ; 

losta pt. s. ; lostan pr. pi. ; lore, 

lorn, lorna, lost pp. AS leosan 
lassa: less AS Isessa 
lassoun: lesson F legon 
lest sb. 'delight, desire AS lust 
last pr. s. list, desire AS lystan 
last a. least 
lastyth 2 pr. pi. list, desire ; cf. 

last 
lesynge: losing, loss 
lasynges: lies, deceits AS leasung 
let 3 pr. s. hinders ; pp. ; cf. lattan 
let imper. put aside ; cf. latta 
late inf. let, allow, give up, di- 
vorce ; cf. latta 



latith pr. s. leave ; cf. latta 

latra s. letters OF. 

lette sb. delay < AS lettan 

"hinder" 
lette, lattan inf. let, allow, give up, 

cease ; lete pr. s. ; letith pr. s, ; 

leat pt. s. ; lat, let imp. ; latan 

pp. AS Isetan 
latta 3 pt. s. hindered ; cf. lattan 
lettan inf. hinder ; lat, lattest pr. 

s. ; lette pt. s. ; lat pp. AS let- 
tan 
lattest pr. s. hindrest ; cf. lattan 
lattaris : characters 
Lattow: Lithuania, now a part of 

Western Russia and Eastern 

Prussia 
lattrura: learning OF letreiire 
letuaria: letuary, physician's chest 

of remedies; s., pi. medicine < 

Lat electuarium 
leva sb. permission, leave AS 

leaf f. 
leve a. dear; leve nor looth] good 

or ill AS leof 
lava inf., 1 pr. s., imp. believe; 

laavath pr. s. ; leavastow 2 pr. s. 

AS lefan < gelefan 
lava inf., 3 pr. s. leave, neglect; 

lafte 3 pt. s., pi. ; lafta, left pp. 

AS Isefan 
lava imp. live ; cf. lyvan AS lifian 
lavada 3 pt. pi. lived ; cf. lyven 
leveful : permissible 
lavana: lightning-bolt 
lavara a. dearer 
levas pi. leaves 
lavyth 3 pr. s. lives ; cf. lyvan 
lawad, lawada: ignorant, base, 

rude, lay AS laewede **laical" 
lewadanassa, lawadnassa : rude 

speech, ignorance, stupidity 
lawadasta: most vile 
lawadly : ignorantly 
lawid : ignorant 
lay inf., 3 pt. s., imp. lay; layn 

pr. pi. ; layda pt. s., pi. ; leyd. 

layde pp. AS lecgan 
layn 3 pr. pi. lay ; cf. lay 
laysar: leisure, time OF leisir 
Libra: the Balance, a sign of the 

zodiac 
licanciat: the licentiate had a li- 
cense from the Pope to hear con- 



LICHE— 



659 



—LOO 



fessions everywhere, independ- 
ently of the local authorities 

Lat. 
liche : like AS gelice 
licour: liquor OF licur 
lief a. dear ; as sb. friend ; good 

lief my wyf] my dear good wife 

AS leof 
lif: life AS Hf 
lifly ad. to the life 
liftyng: lifting 
lige: true, loyal OF liege 
ligeance: allegiance OF. 
liges: lieges, vassals 
liggen inf. lie AS licgan 
liggynge p. lying 
light: easy, light AS leoht 
lighte inf. feel light; 3 pt. s. 

lighted, illuminated ; lightned pp. 

AS lihtan 
lighte 3 pt. s. alighted AS lihtan 
lightned pp. lighted (as the moon 

by the sun) 
lightnesse : light 
ligne: line, descent OF. 
lihte: simple; cf. light 
likerous : thirsty, greedy, wanton 

AS liccian 
liketh 3 pr. impers; if you liketh] 

if you please ; cf. likne AS lician 
likinge : pleasure 
liklihede : likelihood 
likly : likely 
liklynesse : probability 
likne inf. liken ; liketh, likyth 3 

pr. impers. ; likned pp. ; cf. lyken 
liknesse : parable 
likyth 3 pr. impers. pleases; cf. 

likne 
lilye sb. lily AS lilie 
lippe : lip AS lippa 
lipsed 3 pt. s. lisped < AS wlisp 

"stammering" 
lisse sb. solace, comfort, allevia- 
tion AS liss, lijjs f. 
lisse inf. alleviate, comfort, ease ; 

lysse pr. s. subj. ; lissed pp. AS 

lissan 
list sb. desire AS lust m. 
liste impers. it pleased 
listes pi. the lists in which tour- 
naments were held AS list 
listow 2 pr. s. liest thou ; cf. lye 
lite: small, little AS lyt 



litel, litele a. little AS lytel 

litel ad. little 

litestere: dyer ME lit *'dye" + 
stere 

lith sb. limb AS liS 

lithe 3 pr. s. lieth ; cf. lye 

litil: little 

livede 3 pt. pi. lived ; cf. lyven 

Livius: Livy, Roman historian, 
whose story of Appius and Vir- 
ginia (bk. iii) came to Chaucer 
through the Roman de la Rose 

lode: load AS l5d f. 

lodemenage: pilotage AS lodmann 
"guide" 

lofte: lofte ; kepte on lofte] kept 
aloft, sustained ; cf. Icel lopt 

logger lodge, place OF loge 

logged pp. lodged 

loggyng: lodging 

logh : low ; cf. Icel lagr 

logyk sb. logic F logique 

loke sb. look < AS locian 

loke inf. look, see, contemplate, 
search ; looketh imp. ; loked pt. 
pp. ; over loked] looked over 
AS locian 

loken pp. locked < AS loc 

lokkes: locks of hair AS locc m. 

lokyng, lokynge : glance, gazing, 
manner of looking; lokynge of] 
looking at 

LoUere : Lollard, mumbler of 
prayers, a term of reproach ap- 
pield to such reformers as Wy- 
clif; it is confused with Idler, 
a vagabond, and is made to pun 
badly with the Latin lolium, 
or tare, as in B 1183 

lomb: lamb AS lamb n. 

lond sb. land ; pi. countries AS 
lond n. 

longcastel: punning allusion to 
Lancaster, John of Gaunt, earl of 
Richmond ("riche hil") Du 1318 

longe a. long 

longen inf. belong; longeth 3 pr. s. 

< AS gelong 
longen 3 pr. pi. long, desire; 

longed pt. s. AS langian 
longere : longer 
longes: lungs AS lungen 
longynge : belonging 
loo inter j. lo ! 



LOODE-STERRE— 



660 



— LYGHT 



loode-sterre: lode-star, pole-star 

looke sb. glance 

looketh imp. search ; of. loke 

lookyng sb. glance 

loore: lore, learning, teaching AS 
lar f. 

loos a. loose, unrestrained; cf. 
Icel lauss 

Looth: Lot, Abraham's kinsman 

looth a. loath, unwilling, odious, 
hateful; looth or lief] displeasing 
or pleasing; me were looth] I 
should be loath AS la?S 

loothly a. hideous 

lord: lord (Mars) B 303; lordes 
poss. AS hlaford m. "loaf- 
ward" 

Lorde interj. Lord ! 

lordeth 3 pr. s. lords over 

lordynges: sirs 

lore sb. learning AS lar f. 

lore pp. lost ; cf. lese 

lorel : wretch ; cf. lorn, a "lost" 
person 

lorn pp. lost; cf. lese 

los, losse: loss, destruction AS. 

losengeour: flattering liar OF 
losengeor 

loste pt. s., pp. lost; cf. lese 

losten pt. pi lost; cf. lese 

lothere: less welcome 

lotynge: hiding; cf. AS lutian 

loude ad. loud AS hlude 

loueste : lowest 

lough : low ; cf. Icel lagr 

lough 3 pt. s., pi. laughed; cf. 
laughe 

louryng: lowering, threatening; cf. 
Du loeren 

loute inf. bow AS lutian 

love sb. love, lady-love AS lufu 

love-days: days for settling dis- 
putes by a referee, without going 
to law. .The friars were fre- 
quently the umpires 

love-drury: aflfection OF druerie 

love-drynke : love-potion 

love-knotte : love-knot 

love-likynge : loving 

lovede 3 pt. s. loved 

loves: loaves AS hlaf 

lovyere : lover < AS lufian 

lowde: loud, rude AS hlud 

lowe: low, draggled, in a low 



pitch ; he bar him lowe] behaved 
as a menial 

lowely a. humble 

lowely ad. humbly 

lowere : lower 

Lucan: Lucan, b. 38 A. D., 
Roman poet, wrote Pharsalia, an 
historical poem treating of Caesar 
and Pompey 

luce sb. pike OF lus 

Lucifer: the fallen angel 

Lucina: the moon, Proserpina 

Lucrece: wife of Collatinus; when 
ravished by Sextus Tarquinius, 
she slew herself for shame. Her 
death is given as the cause for 
the overthrow of the kingly 
power and the foundation of the 
republic in Rome 

Lucresse; cf. Lucrece 

Lucye: Lucilia, wife of Lucretius 

lulleth 3 pr. s. lulls, soothes; cf. 
G lullen 

Lumbardye: Lombardy, the plain 
of North Italy, in which Milan 
is situated 

lurkynge : lying hid 

lussheburghes: light coins from 
Luxembourg, whence the name 

lust, luste sb. desire, pleasure, de- 
light AS lust 

luste 3 pt. s. reflex, liked 

lustyhede: lustihood, vigor 

lustely, lustily: lustily, gaily 

lusty: eager, vigorous, gay < AS 
lust 

lustynesse : pleasure 

luxurie : lechery OF. 

luyte ad. little; cf. lyte 

lychewake: watch over a corpse 
AS lie -f- waca 

lycorys: licorice OF licoris 

Lyde: Lydia, an ancient kingdom 
in Asia Minor 

lye sb. a lie AS lyge 

lye inf. lie, lie prostrate, remain, 
lodge ; listow 2 pr. s. ; lithe, lyth 
pr. s. ; lay pt. s., pi AS licgan 

lyen inf. tell lies, deceive; lyeth 
pr. ; lyed pt. AS leogan 

Lyeys: city in Armenia, taken 
about 1367 

lyf, lyfe: life AS lif 

lyght sb. light AS leoht 



LYGHT— 



661 



—MAISTRIE 



lyght a. light, easy 

lygne: line OF ligne 

Lygurge : Lycurgus 

lyinge p. lying 

lyke a. like AS gelice 

lyke conj. as 

lyken inf. please ; lykne 1 pr. s. ; 

lyked 3 pt. s. ; lyke pr. s. subj. 

AS lician 
lykerous : lecherous 
lyking sb. pleasure 
lylie sb. lily AS lilie 
lym: limb AS lim 
lym : lime AS lim 
lyme-rod: lime-twig 
lymere : dog in leash ; lymerys pi. 

OF limier 
lymmes pi. limbs 
lymytacioun: limit, district OF 

limitation 
lymytour sb. a begging friar who 

was limited in his begging to a 

certain territory OF. 
lynage : lineage, descent F lignage 
lynde: linden tree AS lind f. 
lyne: line, race OF ligne 
lyned pp. lined 

Lynyan: Giovanni di Lignano, pro- 
fessor of law at Bologne, 1363- 

1383 
lysse pr. s. subj. comfort, ease; 

cf. lisse 
lyst sb. ear < AS hlyst, hearing 
lyst pr. s. impers. it pleases; me 
lyst ryght evil] I had no desire to 

AS lystan 
lystes: lists 
lytarge sb. litharge, lead monoxide 

OF. 
lyte a. little 
lyte ad. little 
lytel a., ad. little 
lyth sb. limb AS liS 
lyth 3 pr. s. lies (at law) ; cf. lye 
lyve dat. life; a life; on lyve] 

alive ; in his life (with vague 

expletive force) D 43 ; hiS lyve] 

in his life Du 247 
lyven inf. live ; lyve 1 pr. s. ; 

levyth 3 pr. s. ; levede, livede 3 

pt. pi. ; leva imp. AS libban 
lyvely a. lively 
ly ver : liver, person alive 
lyveree : livery F livree 



lyves (a. use), alive, live, living 
Lyvia : Livia, wife and murderer 

of Drusus, son of Tiberius, A. D. 

23 
lyvis creature : living creature 
lyvynge : life, manner of life ; in 

hir lyvynge, hir lyvynge] during 

her whole life 
lyvys (a. use), life's 

M 

maad 3 pt. s., pp. made; cf. make 

maat a. dejected, feeble OF 
mater 

Macedoyne, Macidonye : Mace- 
donia 

Machabee : "Book of the Macca- 
bees," in the Apocrypha 

Macrobeus: Macrobius, Latin au- 
thor of about 400, whose edition 
of Cicero's "Somnium Scipionis" 
was accepted as authoritative on 
the subject of dreams. 

mad inf. be mad ; madde 2 pr. s. 
< AS gemaidd 

mad pp. made; cf. make 

madist 2 pt. s. made ; cf. make 

Madriaji: probably St. Mathurin, 
whose body would not stay in 
the earth until it was buried in 
France, as he desired 

madyn 3 pt. pi. made ; cf. make 

madyr: madder, a plant used in 
dyeing AS maedere 

magestee : majesty, power OF 
majeste 

magicien : magician OF. 

magyk sb. magic; magyk nat- 
ureel] a proper use of occult 
powers, as opposed to the im- 
proper use, or black art OF. 

Mahoun : Mahomet, Mohammed 
B 224 

maille : mail, armor OF maille 
"ring of mail" 

maist 2 pr. s. may ; cf. mow 

maister: master, sir (a general 
appellative) ; maistres pi. OF 
maistre 

maister-strete: main street 

maister-tour : main tower 

maistresse : mistress ; duenna 

maistrie : the best ; medical term = 
sovereign OF, 



MAKE- 



662 



— MATHEW 



make sb. mate, husband, wife AS 
gemaca 

make inf. make, draft, formulate, 
compose (poetry) ; makestow 2 
pr. s. ; maketh 3 pr. s. ; maken 
3 pr. pi. ; madist 2 pt. s. ; made, 
maad 3 pt. s, ; madyn 3 pt. pi. ; 
mad, maad, maked pp. AS 
macian 

makere: creator Pf 199 

makestow 2 pr. s. makest thou ; 
cf. make 

Makomete : Mohammed 

makyng: composing 

maladye : malady ; lik the loveris 
maladye of Hereos] like one 
afflicted with the lover's disease 
OF maladie A 1373 

male: bag OF male 

malencolie: melancholy, bitter hu- 
mor OF malencollie 

malencolik a. melancholic, one of 
the four humors; choleric, phleg- 
matic, sanguine and melancholic 

maleys: malice OF malice 

malgre: in spite of OF. 

Malkin: Maud, the maid 

Malkynes: poss. of Malkin, nick- 
name for Maud ' 

Malle: a sheep's name; (cf. 
Burns' Buir Mailie) 

malyce : malice 

manace sb. menace, threat OF 
menace 

manaceth 3 pr. s. menaces OF. 

manasynge : threatening 

mandementz : summonses OF. 

mane, techel, phares; cf. Daniel v. 

maner: manor-house OF maneir 
"village" 

maner, manere: manner, behavior, 
deportment ; kind of, sort of ; 
assured maner] self-reliance OF 
maniere 

manhede, manhod : manhood, man- 
liness 

mankynde : mankind, the human 
race 

mannes poss. s. man's 

mannysh : virago, woman who as- 
sumes man's character 

mansioun : mansion ; cf. paleys 
OF. 



manslawhtre : manslaughter AS 

mannslacht 
mantel sb. mantle, cloak OF. 
mantelet: small mantle OF. 
manye sb. mania OF manie 
manye a. many AS manig 
manys: poss. man's 
mapamonde: map of the world 

OF mappemonde 
mapul: maple AS mapultreow 
marbul: marble OF marbre 
marchal: marshal OF mareschal 
marchant sb. merchant OF. 
Marcia Catouri: Marcia, daughter 

of Cato the Younger, refused to 

remarry 
Marcien: belonging to Mars 
mareys: marsh OF marais 
mariage : marriage ; maad many a 

mariage ... at his owene cost] 

arranged weddings OF. 
mark: likeness, image AS mearc 

D 696 
mark : an English money pf ac- 
count, value 13s. 4d. AS marc 
markys: marquis OF. 
markysesse : marchioness 
Mars: the god of war 
Martes: poss, of Mars 
martir: martyr; Thomas a Becket, 

slain at Canterbury, 1170, by 

emissaries of Henry II. A 17 

AS martyr 
martirdom: martyrdom 
martireth 3 pr. s. martyrs 
marybones: marrow-bones 
maryed 3 pt. s. married 
maryneer : mariner OF marinier 
mased : amazed, bewildered ; cf. 

Norw. masast *'to fall asleep" 
masse: mass, eucharist OF. 
Massyrisse: Massinissa, king of 

Numidia, ally of Rome 
mast: mast, acorns, beechnuts 

AS maest f. 
maste: mast (of a ship) maest m 
mastresse; cf. maistresse 
mat : exhausted ; cf . maat 
mate : checkmate ; exhausted ; cf. 

check 
mateere, matere : matter, business, 

subject OF matiere 
Mathew: the "gospeller," who 



MATRIMOIGNE— 



663 



— MERCENARIE 



gives the words "swear not at 
all" (v. 34) 

matrimoigne : matrimony OF mat- 
rimoine 

matyns: matins, prayers OF 
matines ^ 

Maudelayne, Maudeleyne: a cor- 
ruption of Magdalen 

maugree: in spite of OF. 

maumettrie: Islam, Mohammedan- 
ism 

maunciple : manciple, or steward of 
an inn of court or a college OF 
manciple 

Mauricius: son of Alia and Con- 
stance 

mawe : stomach AS maga m. 

mawgree : in spite of ; mawgree my 
hede] in spite of all I could do 
OF. 

Maximus : a Roman officer 

may: maiden AS mseg 

mayde sb. maid, maid-servant 
AS maegden 

mayde a. unmarried, chaste ; (of 
man or Vv^om.an) AS maegden 
D 79 

mayden : maid ; maydenys pi. 

maydenhede, maydenhod, maydyn- 
hed : maidenhood, chastity 

may me: injure OF mahaignier 

mayntene, maynteyne inf. main- 
tain, carry out OF maintenir 
A 1441 

mayst 2 pr. s. may ; cf. mow 

mayster sb. master 

mayster a. master, chief 

maystrye: token of mastery 

maze : puzzling thing ; cf. mase • 

mazednesse: amazement 

mazelyn : maple-bowl; cf. ODu 
maser "maple-excrescence" 

me pers. pron., dat. and ace. to 
me, me 

Mecene : Messene, a town near 
Sparta 

meche, mechel : much; cf. mochel 

mede, meede : mead, meadow AS 
msed f, 

mede : mead (drink) AS meodo m. 

Medea: wife of Jason q. v. She 
helped Jason to obtain the 
Golden Fleece, and then fled 
with him to Greece. By magic 



she restored Jason's father to 
youth. When Jason proved un- 
true to her, she slew her chil- 
dren, took vengeance on her 
rival, and returned to her home 

medecyne sb. remedy OF. 

mediacion, mediacioun : mediation, 
intercession OF. 

mediae a. medley, of mixed stuff 
or color OF medlee 

meede sb. reward AS med f. 

Meede: Lucre 

meeke: meek Scand. 

meel: meal AS melu 

meene inf. mean, intend, say ; 
mene 1 pr. s, ; menyst 2 pr. s. ; 
mente 3 pt. s. ; ment pp. AS 
msenan "tell" 

meenewhile : meanwhile 

meeste : greatest (in rank) 

meeth: mead (drink) AS meodu 

meetre: metre, verse OF. 

meignee: army; cf. meynee OF 
maisnie B 3532 

mekly : meekly 

meknesse: meekness 

Melan : Milan 

melancoly^ : melancholy, sadness 
OF melancolie 

Meleagree: Meleager, Grecian hero, 
organized the Calydonian boar- 
hunt 

meles pi. meals, repasts AS mael 
n. 

Melesie: maidens of Miletus, in 
Asia Minor 

melle: mill AS mylen 

melodye : melody, music OF. 

membre : member, part OF. 

memorial: preserving memory OF. 

memorie : memory ; in memorie] 
conscious OF. 

memoyre : memory, recollection 
OF memoire 

mencioun sb. m.ention OF men- 
tion 

mene a. middle; meene weyes : 
middle course OF meiien 

mente 3 pt. s. meant; cf. meene; 
ment pp. 

menyst 2 pr. s. say, mean ; cf. 
meene 

mercenarie : hireling Lat mercen- 
arius 



MERCURIE— 



664 



— MOEVYNG 



Mercuric: Mercury, patron of 

learning and of "clerks" ; also 

the star Mercury, opposite in its 

exaltation and dejection to 

Venus 
mercy interj. have mercy! OF 

Du 1218 
mercyable: merciful OF merciable 
mere: mare AS mere f. 
mere: F sea 

merite: recompense OF. 
merk: image, form AS mearc 
merlioun: merlin, a kind of hawk 

OF esmerillon 
mermayde: mermaid 
meroure, merour: mirror OF 

mireor 
merthe: mirth, good cheer AS 

myrg> f. 
merveille, mervayles pi. wonder, 

strange circumstance, marvels 

OF. 
merveillous: marvellous 
mery a. merry AS myrig 
mery ad. (ironically) finely 
meschance: misfortune OF mes- 

cheance 
mescheef. meschief: mishap, mis- 
fortune; at meschief] overcome, 

defeated OF. 
message : message, messenger, 

prophet OF. 
messager: messenger 
messagerye : message-sending 
messedayes: mass-days 
mester : occupation OF mestier 
mesurable a. temperate OF. 
mesure s. moderation; by mesure] 

moderately, to a proper extent 

OF. 
met 3 pr. s. dreameth; cf. mete 
met pp. dreamed; cf. mete 
mete sb._ meat, food ; at mete] at 

the table AS mete m. 
mete a. meet, fitting; no mete] 

no equal Du 488 AS msete 
mete inf. meet ; metyth 3 pr. s. ; 

mette pt. pp. AS metan 
mete inf. dream ; met, mette pr. 

s. ; mette pt. ; met pp. AS msetan 
Metellius: Metellius, said by Vale- 
rius Maximus to have killed his 

wife when drunk 



Methamorphosios: the "Metamor- 
phoses" of Ovid 

methynketh: I think 

metres: poetry OF. 

mette 3 pt. pi., pp. met; cf. mete 

mette ^pt. dreamed; cf. mete 

metynge sb. dreaming; kynges 
metynge Pharao] the dream of 
King Pharaoh 

metyth 3 pr. s. meets; cf. mete 

meve inf. move OF moveir 

mevid : proposed 

mewe: perch or place for bird 
OF mue 

meynee: household menials, ser- 
vants, company OF maisnie 

meyntenaunce s. demeanor OF 
maintenance 

Middelburgh: a Dutch port on the 
island of Walcheren. The wool 
staple was situated here from 
1384 to 1388, before and after 
which it was at Calais. This 
reference seems to date the writ- 
ing of the prologue between 1384 
and 1388 

mille: mill AS mylen 

miilere : miller 

ministre : servant, ruler ; pi. officers 
OF. 

mirour sb. mirror OF mireor 

mirre: myrrh OF. 

mis sb. wrong OF L 266 

mis a. wrong 

mishappe 3 pr. imper. mishap, go 
wrong 

misseyst 2 pr. s. speakest ill 

miteyn: mJtten OF mitaine 

mo a. morCj another ; tymes mo] 
at other times AS ma n. 

mo ad. more 

mochel sb. size AS micel 

mochel a., ad. much 

modifye inf. modify OF modifier 

modyr : mother AS modor 

moebles: furniture OF moble 

moerdre sb. murder AS mort5or 

moeved 3 pt. s. stirred OF moveir 

moevere : mover, originator 

moevyng : moving ; firste moevyng] 
the primum mobile, or first (that 
is, ninth) sphere, in which all 
planets are carried in diurnal mo- 
tion from east to west (Ptolemy) 



MONE— 



665 



—•'MY LIEF IS 



mone sb. moon AS mona 

mone sb. moan, complaint (? AS 

man f.) 
moneie, moneye: money OF. 
monethe sb. month AS monatS m. 
monstre: monster OF. 
montaigne: mountain OF. 
montance: amount, value OF. 
monthe: month AS mdnatS m. 
mony: many AS monig 
moo: more; cf. mo 
mooder: mother; the earth C 729; 

cf. moder 
moone sb. moon ; phases of moon 

A 403 ; cf. mone 
moore a. more AS mara 
moorne 3 pr. s., pi. mourn ; cf. 

morne 
moornynge : mourning 
moost: most, greatest 
moote 3 pr. s., 1 pr. pi. must; 

cf. mot 
moralitee : morality OF. 
mordre sb, murder AS mortSor 
morder 1 pr. s. murder; mordred 

2 pt. pi. subj. ; mordred pp. AS 

myrSrian 
mordrere : murderer 
mordrynge : murdering 
mormal sb. cancer, open sore OF 

mortmal 
morne sb. morning; morne milk] 

morning-milk AS morgen m. 
morne inf. mourn; moorne, 

moorneth pr. AS murnan 
Morpheus: the god of dreams, son 

of Somnus, god of sleep, some- 
times called the god of sleep 
morter: mortar OF mortier 
mortherere: murderer 
mortreux sb. a kind of stew or 

soup OF. 
morwe : morrow, morning ; a 

morwe] in the morning; by the 

morwe] in the morning AS 

morgen 
morwenynge sb. morning 
morwe-song: matins A 830 
morwetyde : morning 
morv/nyng : morning 
mosel : muzzle OF musel 
most, moste 1, 3 pt. s. must, might 
mot, mote 1 pr. s. must ; mote, 



moote 3 pr. s. ; moote 3 pr. pi. ; 
motyn 1 pr. pi. AS mot 

mote sb. notes of horn OF mot 

motes sb. pi. motes, small par- 
ticles AS mot 

mottelee sb. motley, party-colored 
garb; cf. OF motelet ''little 
clod" 

motthes: moths AS mot5Se 

motyf: idea OF motif 

motyn pr. pi. must; cf. mot 

mountaunce, mountenaunce : 
amount OF montance 

mous : mouse AS mus, pi. mys 

moustre sb. pattern OF. 

mow 3 pr. pi. may; mowe pr. s., 
pi. ; maist 2 pr. s. ; myght, 
myghten pr. AS magan 

mowled pp. mouldy, old ; cf. 
mowlen < ME moul "mould" 

mowlen inf. grow mouldy orig. 
uncert. 

Moyses: Moses, in Jewish legend, 
had a ring causing forgetfulness 
F 250 

moyst, moyste: moist; cf. humour 
A 420 ; new ; soft, not yet dried 
out and stiff A 457 OF moiste 

moysty : new (of ale) 

muche and lite: great and small 

muchel a. much 

muchel ad. much, greatly 

mullok: refuse heap < mull "dirt" 

multiplie inf. multiply; change 
metals alchemically G 669 OF. 

murie : merry AS myrig 

murier : more pleasant 

murierly ad. more merrily 

murmure sb. murmuring OF. 

murmureden pt. pi. buzzed, talked 
in low voice 

murmurynge : murmur 

murthe: mirth AS myrg]? 

mury, murye a. merry 

murye ad. merrily 

mused 3 pt. s. wondered, re- 
volved OF muser "loiter" 

musik: music OF musique 

muste 3 pr. s. must ; cf. mot 

mutabylyte: inconstancy OF. 

mutte 2 pr. pi. must 

muwe : coop for fattening fowl 
OF mue 

"My lief is faren in londe" : first 



MYCHEL— 



666 



— NAROWE 



line of an old song, "My love 
is gone to the country" B 4069 

mychel: much AS miul 

Mychelmesse : Michaelmas, Sep- 
tember 29 

myd a. mid, middle 

Myda: Midas, king in Crete, fa- 
mous for wealth and folly 

myddell: mean, medium AS mid- 
del 

mydnyght: midnight 

myght sb. might, power; do youre 
myght] do all in your power 
AS miht f. 

myght 1 pt. s. might ; cf. mow 

myghty : powerful 

myht sb. might AS miht f. 

myhten pt. pi. might; cf. mow 

myle: mile AS mil f. 

my lord: the archbishop of Can- 
terbury, or perhaps the Pope 
B 4635 

myn poss. mine 

mynde : mind, understanding, mem- 
ory AS gemynd 

Mynerva: Minerva, Goddess of 
Wisdom 

mynne imp. have in mind AS 
gemyngian 

Mynotaur : a monster, half-man 
and half-bull, which lived in the 
labyrinth in Crete. Athenian 
youths were doomed by him, 
until he was slain by Theseus 

mynour: miner, sapper OF mineor 

mynstralcie : minstrelsy, instru- 
ment OF menestralsie 

mynstrales: minstrels OF menes- 
trel 

myracle ; pi. myraklis : miracle ; 
pleyes of myracles] miracle plays 
(of Biblical history) OF miracle 

myre : mire, mud ; cf. Icel myer 

myrie a. -merry AS myrge 

myrthe : mirth AS myrg]? f. 

myrtheles : mirthless 

mys ad. amiss 

mysaventure: mishap OF. 

mysavyse 3 pr. pi. refl. are wrong- 
ly counseled OF. 

mysboden pp. insulted, abused 
AS mis-beodan 

myscarie inf. miscarry, go amiss 

myschefe : sorrow OF meschief 



mysdeparteth 3 pr. s. wrongly 

divides 
mysdooth 3 pr. s. mistreats 
myselvyn : myself 
myserie : misery OF miserie 
mysfille 3 pt. s. it went amiss 
myssayde pp. missaid 
mysse inf., pr. s. fail, lack AS 

missan 
myssette pp. misplaced, unsuit- 
able 
mysspeke 1 pr. s. subj. speak 

amiss 
mystake pp. mistaken 
myster : trade, craft ; what myster 

men] what sort of men OF 

mestier 
mystihede : mistiness, mystery 
mystriste inf. mistrust 
mysusen inf. misuse OF mesuser 
myte: mite, little bit OF mite 

"small coin" 
mytes: mites, small insects AS 

mite 

N 

na: no AS na never 
Nabugodonosor : Nebuchadnezzar 
nacion: nation OF nation 
nadderys: serpents AS naedre 
naille 3 imp. s. nail up AS nag- 

lian 
nailynge p. fitting with spikes 
naked pp. as a. naked, bare, des- 
titute, plain AS nacod 
nakednesse : nakedness 
nakerers: drums OF nacaire 
nakyd : naked 
nam for ne am: am not 
namlie : namely, particularly AS 

nama + -ly 
namo: no more 
namoore : no more 
napoplexie : nor apoplexy 
nappeth : naps AS hnaeppian 
Narcisus: Narcissus, beloved by 
Echo, was punished for his neg- 
lect of her by becoming en- 
amoured of the reflection of his 
own face in a fountain which 
he watched until he pined away 
and was turned into a flower 
narette for ne arette : ascribe not 
narowe : close AS nearu 



NART— 667 — NOGHT 


nart for ne art: art not 


nekke: neck AS hnecca 


narwe: narrow, close 


nekke-boon: spine 


nas for ne was: was not; I nas 


nel, nele for ne wele : will not 


but] I was simply 


Nembrot: Nimrod, a "mighty 


nat : not 


hunter" in the Bible, and builder 


nath, nathe for ne hath: hath not 


of Nineveh, Genesis x. 9 


nathelees : nevertheless AS na 


nempnen inf. call by name; 


never 


nempned 3 pt. s. AS nemnan 


nativitee: birth OF. 


ner, nere for ne were pt. s., pi.; 


nature: nature, race OF. 


pt. subj. were not, should not 


natureel, naturel: natural; naturel 


be 


day] twenty-four hours ; natureel 


ner ad. never, ne'er 


magyk] cf. magyk OF naturel 


ner, nere ad. comp. nearer 


navele : navel AS navela 


nercotikes: narcotics OF nar- 


nawht: not AS nawiht 


cotique 


nay a. as sb. untruth Du 147 ; cf. 


Nero: emperor of Rome, famed 


Icel nei 


for his cruelty 


nayl: nail, to catch and hinder 


nerre : nearer 


one, a hindrance A 3877 ; pi. 


Nessus: a Centaur, killed by Her- 


finger-nails C 651 AS naegel 


cules 


ne : nor, not 


netheles : natheles 


necessarie: necessary act OF 


nette: net AS nett n. 


necessaire 


neveradeel: not at all 


necessitee condicioneel : necessity 


nevew: nephew OF neveu 


which is conditioned only by 


nevir: never 


knowledge not by compulsion, 


newe a. new AS newe 


as when we see a man falling 


newe ad. newly 


from a roof and know he will 


newed 3, pt. s., pp. renewed, was 


be killed B 4440 


freshened 


necligence: negligence OF negh- 


newefangel a. fickle 


gence 


newefangelnesse : fondness for nov- 


necligent: negligent OF negligent 


elty, fickleness 


nede sb. need, desire, peril AS 


next: next, nearest; next before] 


neod f. 


just before 


nede inf. need ; nedeth 3 pr. s. ; 


neyghbur: neighbor AS neahge- 


nedest 3 pt. s. AS neodian 


bur 


nede ad. needs, of necessity AS 


neythir: neither 


nedes Du 1073 


Nicerates: Niceratus, a Greek 


nedelees: needlessly 


Nichanore: Nicanor, a Greek, gen- 


nedely: of necessity 


eral of Antiochus 


nedes: needs, of necessity 


niente : nothing Ital. 


nedescost: necessarily 


nil for ne will: will not 


nedles: poss. needle's AS nsedl 


ninthe: ninth AS nigoSa 


nedys pi. needs; for nedys] of 


nobil: noble OF noble 


necessity 


nobledest 2 pt. s. ennobled 


neede a. necessary 


noblesse : nobleness, rank, honor 


needfull : needy 


OF. 


neer ad. poss. near AS near 


nobleye: nobility OF nobleie 


neer ad. comp. nearer 


nodde inf. nod, shake his head 


neet sb. neat, cattle AS neat 


orig. uncert. 


negardye : niggardliness 


noe : no 


negh: nearly AS neh 


nof, ne of: nor of 


neighebore: neighbor AS neah- 


noght sb. nothing AS na wiht 


gebur 


noght ad. not ; not at all 



NOHT— 



668 



— OBSERVAUNCE 



noht ad. not, naught 

nolde for ne wolde : would not 

nombre: number OF. 

non: none AS nan 

nones sb. nonce, time-being ME 
for then ones < J>am (dat. AS 
>e) 

nonne: nun AS nunne f. 

nonys adv. for the nonce ; cf. 
nones 

noo: no 

noon: none AS nan 

noot for ne wot : know not 

noote : note, tune ; by noote] ac- 
cording to musical note OF 
note 

norice sb. nurse OF nurrice 

norissed pp. raised OF nurir 

norisshynge : period of growth 

norissyng sb. nourishment, nutri- 
ment, rearing 

Northfolk sb. Norfolk, a county 
of England on the east coast 
(East Anglia) 

northren: northern 

norture: good manners OF norri- 
ture 

nosethirles pi. nostrils AS nosjjyrl 

nost 2 pr. s. knowest not; cf. 
noot 

not for ne wot: does not know; 
cf. noot 

notabilitee: striking event OF. 

note: music, tune OF. 

notemuge: nutmeg ME note "nut" 
4" OF mugue "musk" 

not-heed: close cropped head 

nother: neither; never nother] 
neither of them AS nowSer 

nothyng ad. not at all 

notified pp. proclaimed OF. 

notys pi. notes 

nought: not 

noumberis: numbers, ratios OF 
nombre 

noumbre sb. and inf. number 

nouncertaine: uncertainty < non- 
certain 

nouther: neither AS nowSer 

novelrie: variety OF novelerie 

noveltee: novelty OF. 

novys : novice OF. 

nowadayes : nowadays 



nowches: brooch OF nusche 

"necklace" 
nowe: now; as nowe] now 
Nowel: Noel, birthday (of Christ) 
nowght : not 
nowher: nowhere 

nowthe : now ; as nowthe] at pres- 
ent AS nii^a "now then" 
noyse : noise OF. 
nuwefangulnesse : fickleness 
ny : nigh AS neh 
nyce: ignorant, foolish, without 

malice; careful A 398 OF nice 

< Lat nescius 
nycete s. folly 

nygard: niggard, stingy one OF. 
nygh, nyghe ad. nigh, nearly OF 

neh 
nyght, nyghte sb. night AS 

neaht, niht f. 
nyghte inf. become night 
nyghtertale: night time; cf. Icel 

natterjjel 
nyghtyngale : nightingale AS 

nihtegale 
nyhtyngale : nightingale 
riyghtys pi. nights 
nyl for ne wyl : will not 
nymphes: nymphs Lat nympha 
nyn: nor in 
nyne: nine AS nigon 
nynetene : nineteen AS nigontyne 
Nynyve: Nineveh, ancient capital 

of Assyria 
nys for ne is: is not 
nysete : foolishness 
nyste for ne wyste : did not know 



o: of L 360 

o : one AS an 

obeieth 3 pr. pi. obeys; cf. obeye 
OF obeh- 

obeisant: obedient 

obeisaunce, obeissaunce : obedi- 
ence ; in your obeisaunce] obedi- 
ent to you 

obeye inf., 3 pr. pi. obey; obeyde 
3 pt. OF obeir 

obligacioun: a bond OF obliga- 
tion 

observaunce: respect, homage, cer- 
emony OF observance 



OBSERVE— 669 — OPPRESSE 


observe inf. favor, allow OF ob- 


Olofernus: Holofernes, captain of 


server Lat observare 


Nebuchadnezzar's army 


obstinat: obstinate Lat obstinatus 


olofte: aloft ME on lofte 


Occident: west 


olyve: olive OF. 


occupye inf. occupy; occupieth 3 


Olyvere: Oliver, one of Charle- 


pr. s. OF occuper 


magne's Twelve Peers. Slain 


octogamye : marriage of eight 


with Roland at Roncesvalles, 


wives in succession < Jerome's 


through the treachery of Ganelon 


treatise Advers. Jovinianum, 


q. V. Du 1122 


"octogamos" 


olyveres: olive-yards OF olivier 


Octovyan: Augustus Caesar, Octa- 


Omer: Homer 


vian L 624 


on prep, on, in ; on alle thynge] 


Octovyen: an emperor of Rome 


at all cost; on shames deeth] a 


who married Floraunce, daugh- 


death of shame 


ter of Dagobert, king of France. 


on: one 


He is the subject of an early 


onbyde: abide, wait 


English metrical romance Du 


ones: once, united C 696; at 


368 


ones] at once 


Odenake: Odenathus or Odenatus, 


onethe: scarcely; cf. unnethe AS 


king of Palmyra 


uneatSe "un-easy" 


of ad. off 


onhap: misfortune 


of prep. in, with; of newe] re- 


onknowyn : unknown 


cently 


onkynde: unkind 


of caste imp. discard 


on-lofte : aloft 


offenden inf. offend 


on the : one , of the (followed by 


offensioun: harm OF. 


superlative) 


ofTertorie: offertory Lat offer- 


onstedefastnesse : unsteadfastness 


torium 


onworthieste : unworthiest 


office sb. secular employment 


ony: any AS senig 


officere: officer; pi. servants OF. 


oo : one ; cf. oon 


offreth imp. pi. offer AS ofTrian 


ook: oak AS ac f. 


OF offrir 


oold: old AS aid 


offring sb. the proceeds of the 


oon: one; evere in oon] constant- 


voluntary offerings 


ly; after oon] up to standard 


offrynge: offering; in Chaucer's 


oones : once 


day the people carried their of- 


oonly : only 


ferings to the altar, and ques- 


oonys : once 


tions of precedence arose A 450 


oore: ore AS ora 


offys: office, duty 


ooth: oath AS atS m. 


of-showve: shove off, repel 


oother: other 


ofspryng sb. offspring 


opene inf. open 


oftaken pp. removed 


openers: fruit of the medlar, not 


ofte a. pi. many; ofte tyme] often 


good to eat until it began to 


AS oft 


decay 


ofte ad. often 


open-heveded : bare-headed 


after: more often 


operaciouns: operations, affects 


oght sb. aught AS awiht 


OF operation 


oght 3 pr. s. ought AS agan 


opie : opium OF. 


oght ad. at all 


opposicioun: opposition (of sun 


oille sb. oil; oille of tartre] cream 


and moon in sky in relation to 


of tartar OF oille 


earth) OF opposition 


ok(e) : oak AS ac f. 


opposit: opposite OF opposit 


olde: old AS aid 


oppresse inf. oppress, violate OF 


olifaunt: elephant OF olifant 


oppresser 



OPPRESSYOUN- 



670 



— OVERBORDE 



oppressyoun : oppression, tyranny 
OF oppression 

opyn a. open AS open 

or conj. before, ere, or 

or prep, before 

oratorie: oratory, small chapel OF 
oratorie 

orde: point AS ord m. 

ordenaunce: order OF. 

ordeyned pp. ordained, arranged 
OF ordener 

ordinance : arrangement ; by ordi- ■ 
nance] in order 

ordre sb. order, religious order ; 
ordres foure] the four orders of 
begging friars were: the Domin- 
icans, or Black Friars; the 
Franciscans, or Grey Friars ; the 
Carmelites, or White Friars ; the 
Augustin Friars A 210 OF 
ordre 

Orewelle : an early name for Har- 
wich, a seaport on the eastern 
coast of England 

orgnes pi. organs, the earlier 
name for what we call an organ 
(cf. a bellows) AS organe 

orgon: organ B 4041 

orient: the east 

original sb. origin 

orisoun: prayer OF orison 

orizonte : horizon OF orizonte 

Orliens: Orleans, seat of a uni- 
versity 

orloge, orlogge: large clock OF. 

ornementz : ornaments 

Orpheus: legendary Greek musi- 
cian, whose music moved even 
stones and trees, and enabled 
him to descend with safety into 
the infernal regions in search of 
his dead wife, Eurydice. She was 
given permission to follow him 
back to. earth, provided that he 
did not turn back to see whether 
she were following him. He was 
unable to refrain from looking 
back, whereupon Eurydice van- 
ished from his sight. While he 
was in Hades, his music gave 
temporary release from toil and 
punishment to all who heard it 

Orygenes poss. Origen, 185-253 
A. D., church father, wrongly 



thought to have written a trea- 
tise on Mary Magdalene 
Osanne : Hosanna 
ost: host OF. 
otes: oats AS ate pi. atan 
other, othre: other; otheres poss. 

s. ; othere pi. AS ot5er 
other conj. either, or 
ootherweys : otherwise 
othes: oaths AS at5 m. 
ouche: clasp, necklace, nouch OF 

nusche 
ought sb. anything AS awiht 
oughte pr. pi., pt. s. ought 
oughte ad. at all Du 536 
ouhte 3 pr. s. ought 
oule: owl; oulys pi. AS ule 
ounces: thin locks, parts OF once 
oune: own AS agen 
oure: pron. our C 786 
oures pi. hours OF heures 
out interj. down with! B 4233; 

alas! B 4570 
outbreke : break out, begin to speak 
out caughte 3 pt. s. drew out 
oute ad. out, uttered 
outen inf. utter ; oute 1 pr. pi. 

AS utian 
outerly: utterly, finally AS uttra 
outhees: outcry AS ut + hses 

"command" 
outher: either, or AS awSer 
outlawe: outlaw AS utlaga 
outrageous: insolent, reckless C 

650 OF outrageus 
outraunce: the last extremity OF. 
outrely ad. utterly, absolutely 
outreye inf. exceed the proper 

bounds (rOF outreier) 
outridere: outrider, whose business 
was to look after the outlying 
manors belonging to the mon- 
astery 
outspronge 3 pt. s. spread abroad 
outsterte 3 pt. pi. ran out 
out-taken pp. excepted 
outter : outer 
outtreste : uttermost 
outtwyne 2 pr. pi. twist out, utter 
over: over, above 
overal : everywhere 
overborde: overboard AS ofer 
bord 



OVERCASTE— 



671 



— PANIK 



overcaste inf. cast down 

overdoon pp. done to excess 

overest a. uppermost 

overlad pp. put upon, domineered 
AS oferlaedan 

overlade inf. over load 

over-lippe: upper lip 

overmacche inf. overmatch 

overmesure : to excess, in the ex- 
treme 

overryden pp. run over AS 
oferridan 

overshette pt. pi. over-run the 
scent ME oversheten 

overskipte 1 pt. s. skipped, passed 
over 

overslope : upper garment AS 
oferslop 

overspradde 3 pt. s. covered AS 
ofersprsedan 

oversprynge pr. s. subj. flood 

overthwart, overthwert : across, 
askance 

overtoke pt. s. overtook, caught 
up 

ovireshake pp. shaken off 

Ovyde: Publius Ovidius Naso, gen- 
erally called Ovid, a Latin poet 
(B. C. 43-19? A. D.). His chief 
works are the Metamorphoses, 
a great source book of mythol- 
ogy; the De Arte Amandi (The 
Art of Love) ; and the De Re- 
medio Amoris (The Cure of 
Love). The two last named 
had great influence upon mediae- 
val conceptions of love 

ovyral: besides 

owene a. own AS agen 

oweth 3 pr. s. owns 

owhere : anywhere 

owr, owre : our 

owter : over ; cf. de F outre 

owtlandissh : foreign 

owtrage : insolence, excess OF 
outrage 

oxe : ox ; exes pi. AS oxa 

oxe-stalle : ox-stall 

Oxenford: Oxford 

oynement: ointment OF oigne- 
ment 

oynons pi. onions OF oignon 

oystre: oyster OF oistre 



paas : step, foot-pace ; goon a 
go at a foot-pace OF pas 

pace inf. pass, go, step, surpass 
OF pas 

Pacience pers. Patience 

pacient sb. patient OF. 

pacient a. patient 

Padwe : Padua, in northern Italy 

paiementz: payments OF paiement 

paire : pair OF. 

pak : lot ; cf. Du pak 

Palamon: Theban noble, cousin of 
Arcite, in the Knight's Tale 

Palatye: Palathia in Anatolia or 
Asia Minor 

paleys: palace, mansion, or house; 
zodiacal sign astrologically ap- 
propriated to planet ; in C M 
the mansions concerned are 
Gemini, Taurus, Aries; Venus 
and Mars meet in Taurus, 
Venus' mansion (?); Venus flees 
to Cylenius (Mercury's) "tour,'* 
Gemini (113); Mercury beholds 
Venus from Venus' valance, the 
edge of Aries, fancifully called 
Venus' bed-curtains ; Mars is left 
in Taurus by the more rapid 
motions of the other planets ; 
the sun, Phoebus, entered Taurus 
April 12; C M 54 

palfrey: saddle-horse OF palefrei 

Pallas: Minerva, goddess of wis- 
dom 

palled: pale OF pale 

palmeres: pilgrims who bear palm 
branches as signs that they 
have reached the Holy Land. 
Used by Chaucer more loosely 
as meaning a pilgrim OF pau- 
mier 

Palymerie : Palmyra 

Pamphilus : author of "Liber de 
Amore," a Latin poem, in ele- 
giac form, bewailing his love 
for Galatea 

pan : skull, crown of head AS 
panne 

Pan: Greek god of shepherds, and 
of nature in general. He is 
depicted as half-man, half-goat 

Panik : the location is uncertain 



PANTERE— 

pantere: snare, bag-net OF pan- 
tiere 

Pape : Pope 

papejay: popinjay, green wood- 
pecker OF papegai 

par amour: lovingly, with devotion 
OF. 

par cas: perchance 

paradys: paradise OF paradis 

parage: parentage OF. 

paramentz: fine mantles Lat para- 
mentum 

paramour sb. lover, mistress OF. 

paramour, paramours ad. long- 
ingly, lovingly 

paraunter: perhaps OF par aven- 
ture 

para venture: peradventure, perhaps 

parcel: part, small part OF par- 
celle 

parde interj. OF par Dieu 

pardoner: the business of the par- 
doner was to sell pardons or 
indulgences issued by the Pope. 
He carried relics to add cre- 
dence to ,the pardons OF par- 
donier 

pardoun sb. pardon OF. 

parementz : rich hangings ; cham- 
bre of parementz] presence- 
chamber OF parement 

parfay: by the faith OF B 110 

parfit a. perfect; with regard to 
holy living D 92 OF. 

parfitly : perfectly 

parfourne inf. perform ; parfourn- 
est 2 pr. s. ; parfourned pp. OF 
parfournir 

Paris : son of King Priam of Troy ; 
by his seduction of Helen, wife 
of Menelaus, he caused the Tro- 
jan war Du 331 

parisshe : parish OF paroisse 

parisshens sb. pi. parishioners 
OF paroissien 

paritorie: pellitory, an herb OF 
paritoire 

parlement: deliberative body; de- 
cision, as of such body OF. 

Parnaso: Mt. Parnassus, sacred to 
Apollo, above Delphi 

parte inf. share ; parteth 3 pr. s. 
departs OF partir 

Parthes: the Parthians, who lived 



672 —PEES 



in the east borders of what is 
now Turkey 

Parthonopee : Parthenopseus, one 
of the Seven against Thebes 

partre: part, section; partial per- 
son A 2657 OF partie 

partrich sb. partridge OF per- 
driz 

party ad. partly OF parti 

parvys sb. the church-porch of St. 
Paul's, a common place for con- 
sultation OF. 

Parys : Paris 

pas sb. pace, yard OF. 

passant: surpassing OF. 

passen inf. surpass, pass over, 
omit ; passed 3 pt. s. ; passid pp. 
OF passer 

passid pp. passed; cf. passen 

passioun: passion, suffering, mar- 
tyrdom OF. 

passyng a. surpassing 

pastee: pasty OF paste 

patente : an "open" letter, con- 
ferring privilege OF patente 

Pathmos: Patmos, the island upon 
which St. John spent his last 
days ; cf. Rev. i. 9 

patriarkes: patriarchs OF. 

patrone s. pattern OF patron 

patroun : patron 

Paulus : Paul 

paunche: belly OF panche 

pavement: floor OF. 

pay: advantage, liking; to pay] to 
advantage Pf 474 OF paie 

paye inf. pay ; payed 3 pt. s. ; 
payede pp. satisfied OF paier 

payen a. pagan OF paien 

payens sb. pagans 

payndemayn: the finest and whitest 
bread OF pain -|- demaine 
"manorial" "private'* 

payne sb. pain OF peine 

paynyth pr. s. takes pains; cf. 
peyne 

payre sb. pair OF. 

paysyble: peaceable OF paisible 

pece: piece OF piece 

pecok a. peacock AS pea "pea- 
cock" 

Pedmark: Penmark, a promontory 
in Brittany, on the west coast 

pees: peace OF pais 



PEIGNYNGE— 



673 



— PHARAO 



peignynge p. taking pains OF 
pener 

peire sb. string OF paire 

pekke imp. peck 

pelowe : pillow AS pyle 

Pemond: Piedmont 

penant sb. penitent, one doing 
penance OF. 

penaunce: penance OF. 

pencel: pencil, brush OF pincel 

Penelope, Penolopee : Penelope, 
wife of Odysseus, noted for her 
faithfulness to him during the 
ten years of his wanderings, in 
spite of the importunities of 
many suitors 

penoun: pennon OF penon 

pens: pence, money AS penig 

penyble : painstaking, eager to 
please OF penible 

peple : people, common people OF 
pueple 

perauntere : par aventure, perchance 
OF. 

peraventure : perhaps OF. 

Perce: Persia ^ 

percely: parsley OF perresil 

percen inf. pierce ; perseth pr. s. ; 
perced pp. OF percer 

perchaunce : perhaps OF. 

perche: perch, roost OF. 

percynge: piercing; for percynge] 
to prevent piercing 

pare: peer, equal OF per 

peregryn : peregrine, foreign Lat 
peregrinus 

perfit: perfect OF. 

perfitly : perfectly 

performen inf. perform, fulfill OF 
parfournir 

peril: danger; upon my peril] so 
far as I could help it OF. 

perilouse: perilous, dangerous 

perisse 3 pr. pi. perish OF perir 

perle: pearl OF. 

permutacioun : complete change 
OF. 

Perotheus: Pirithous, whom The- 
seus accompanied to Hades in 
an attempt to carry off Proser- 
pina 

perpetuely: perpetually OF per- 
petuel 



perrie, perrye : jewelry, precious 
stones OF pierrerie 

pers sb. bluish-gray material OF. 

perseveraunce : perseverance, en- 
durance OF. 

perseverynge : perseverance 

Persians : Persians 

persith pr, s. pierceth ; cf. percen 

persone: person OF. 

persoun : parson ; persoun of a 
toun] parish priest OF persone 

perspectives: perspectives, lenses 
OF. 

Pertelote : the hen 

perturben 3 pt. pi. disturb OF 
pertourber 

pervers : perverse, headstrong OF. 

pes, pese : peace OF pais 

pestelence : pestilence, woe OF 
pestilence 

pesyn: pease AS pise, pi. pisan 

pet: pit AS pytt 

pete: pity; cf. pite 

petouse : piteous, sad 

petously: piteously 

Petrak : Petrarch 

Petro of Cipre : Pierre de Lusig- 
nan, king of Cyprus, killed 1369 
B 3581 

Petro: Pedro of Castile, ally of 
the Black Prince, killed 1369 
B 3565 

petyciouns: petitions OF. 

peyne sb. pain, grief, care, torture ; 
nevere for to dyen in the peyne] 
never even in case of death by 
torture OF peine 

peyne inf. refl. take pains, en- 
deavor ; payneth pr. s. ; peyned 
pt. pp. OF pener 

peynte inf. paint, depict ; peyntede 
3 pt. s. ; do peynte] cause to be 
painted OF peindre, pp. peint 

peyntede 3 pt. s. painted ; peyntede 
the leoun] ^sop tells of a man's 
picture of a man conquering a 
lion. A lion remarked, "We 
lions are none of us painters." 

peynture : painting OF. 

peyre sb. pair OF paire 

peytrel : poitrel, breast-plate of 
horse-armor OF peitral 

Phanye : daughter of Croesus 

Pharao : Pharaoh 



PHASIFPHA- 



674 



— PLENTEE 



Phasifpha: Pasiphse, queen of 
Crete, mother of the Minotaur, 
half-man, half-bull 

Phebus: Phoebus Apollo 

Phidoun: Phido, slain at banquet 
in Athens, under the thirty ty- 
rants, B. C. 403 (this exemplum 
and those following from Jerome 
"contra Jovinianum") 

Philippes : Philips* 

Philistiens : Philistines 

Phillis: cf. PhylHs 

philosofre : philosopher OF phil- 
osophe 

philosophie : philosophy, learning 
OF. 

philosophre : philosopher, used in 
a double sense, for the alchem- 
ists called themselves philoso- 
phers. The clerk was no al- 
chemist, and had little gold 
A 297 

Philostrate : name assumed by Ar- 
cite 

phisic, phisik: physic, medicine 
OF. 

phisicien : physician, doctor OF. 

phislyas: probably the shipman's 
error for physices, natural phil- 
osophy 

Phitoun: the Python, killed by 
Apollo ; Ovid "Metamorphoses I" 

Phyllis: daughter of Sithon, king 
of Thrace, and betrothed to 
Demophoon, son of Theseus, king 
of Athens, slew herself when her 
lover, who had gone to Athens 
to arrange for the wedding, did 
not return at the appointed time 

Pictagoras: Pythagoras of Samos, 
B. C. 550, a mathematician who 
constructed a philosophy based 
upon the numerical relations of 
things. He was the first to 
make a scientific study of 
sounds and harmony 

Pierides: daughters of Pierus in 
Thessaly, who contended with 
the Muses 

Piers : Pierce 

pigges poss. pig's ME pigge 

pighte 3 pt. s. pitched < picchen 

Pigmalion : Pygmalion, Greek 



sculptor, whose statue Galatea 

was given life 
Pilates voys: a loud, boastful 

voice, like that of Pilate in the 

mystery plays 
pilche: fur cloak or coat AS pylce 
piled pp. scraggly, wanting hair 

AS pylian "peel" 
piler, pilere sb. pillar OF A 2466 
pilere a. used for pillars Pf 177 
pilgrymage; pilgrimage; cf. OF 

pelegrinage 
pilours: pillagers, robbers OF pil- 

leur 
pilwe-beer: pillowcase ME here 

"case" 
pipen in an yvy-leef: whistle for it 
pipere a. used for pipes Pf 178 
Pirrus: Pyrrhus, son of Achilles 
Pisces: the Fish, a sign of the 

zodiac, opposite Virgo 
pistel: epistle (read in church ser- 
vice), a lesson AS pistol 
pitaunce: mess of victuals OF 

pitance 
pita, ^itee sb. pity OF pite 
pith: strength AS piSa 
pitous: piteous, kind OF pitos 
pitously ad. piteously, sorrowfully 
pitta: pit AS pytt 
pittaa: pity; cf. pita 
place: manor house B 1910 OF. 
plages: regions OF. 
planeta: planet OF. 
plantayn: plantain OF. 
planta sb. shoot AS plante D 

763 
piastres: bandages OF piastre 

AS plaster 
plat: fiat OF. 
plata sb. flat, flat side OF. 
plates: plates of iron, armor OF. 
Plato: 427-347 B. C., Athenian 

philosopher 
play, playa: sport, amusement, con- 
trivance AS plega 
playn, playne sb. the plain OF. 
playn a. flat OF. 
pla : plea, contention OF plet 
piadynga s. strife OF plaidier 
plais pi. pleas; cf. pie 
plentea: abundance; greet plciitee] 

in great abundance OF. 



PLENTEVOUS— 



675 



—POUDRE-MARCHANT 



plentevous sb. plenteous OF 
plentious 

plesance, plesaunce : pleasure, de- 
light ; desire of love Pf 389 OF 
plaisance 

plesaunt a. pleasant, good natured 
OF plaisant 

plesen inf. please; plesed pp. OF 
plaisir 

plesure : pleasure OF plaisir 

plesynges: satisfactions 

pletynge: disputing OF plaidier 

pley sb. play, trick, delusion AS 
plega 

pley, pleye inf. play, jest; pleyde 
pt., pp. AS plegan 

pleyn a. plain, open, fair, full ; 
pleyne pi. smooth Pf 180 OF 
plain 

pleyn ad. plainly, fully 

Pleyndamour: the probable hero of 
a metrical romance which has dis- 
appeared 

pleyne inf. complain ; pleynes pi. 
OF plaindre 

pleynge p. amusement, sport 

pleynly : plainly 

Pleynt of Kynde: **De Planctu 
Naturae," nature's complaint 
against unnatural vices ; cf. 
Alain 

pleynte: plaint, complaint OF 
plainte 

pleynynge : complaining, lamenting 

pleyynge : playing, amusement 

plighte 3 pt. s. pulled ME 
plicchen < AS plyccan "pluck'* 

plighte: plighted, pledged D 1051 
AS plihtan 

plite sb. plight AS pliht m. 

plogh, piowh sb. plough AS ploh 

plowman : husbandman, small 
farmer, who did his own plough- 
ing 

Pluto: god of the lower world 

plye inf. bend OF plier 

plyt: plight, woe AS pliht m. 

poete: poet OF poete 

poetrie: poetry OF. 

poilleys: of Apulia, a district in 
southern Italy 

point devys: at, perfectly correct 

pokkes: pox AS pocc 

pokok: peacock AS pea + cock 



polax: pole-axe; cf. LG poUex 
"poll, head" + ax 

polcat: polecat; cf. F poule -f cat 

Polixena: Polyxena, loved by 
Achilles, q. v. 

Pollexene: cf. Polixena 

Polymea : Polymnia, muse of se- 
rious song 

polyve: pulley OF poulie 

pomel: crown of the head OF 
A 2689 

pomely grey or grys: apple-gray, 
dapple-gray OF pomele G 559 

pompe: pomp, ceremony OF. 

Pompeus, Pompeye : Pompey, who 
married Caesar's daughter and 
(according to some historians) 
whose daughter Caesar married 

Poo: the river Po 

popeler: poplar OF poplier 

Poperyng: Poperinghe, a town 
near Ostend 

popet: doll, used ironically OF 
poupette 

popynjay: parrot OF papegai 

poraille sb. poor trash, the mob 
OF povraille 

Porcia : Portia 

porpere: purple OF porpre 

port: bearing, behavior OF port 
A 69 

portrayture s. painting, portrai- 
ture OF. 

portreitour: artist 

portreitures: paintings 

portrey inf. draw, depict OF 
portraire 

portreyynge sb. painting 

pose : cold in the head AS gepose 

pose 1 pr. s. put the case OF 
poser 

positif a. fixed OF. 

possessioun : possession, wealth 
OF. 

possibilitee : possibility OF. 

possyble: possible OF. 

post: pillar, support OF poste 

potage: broth OF. 

pothecarie : apothecarie OF apote- 
carie 

pottes, pottis: pots AS pott 

poudre-marchant sb. a flavoring 
powder used in cooking in Chau- 



POUI 



(i7(> 



-PROGRESSIOUNS 



cer's day ; marchant "mer- 
chant's," hence "good" 
Poul: St. Paul 

poune: pawn in chess OF peon 
pouped pp. blown 
poure inf. pore, gaze ; orig. un- 

cert. 
poure, povre a. poor OF povre 
povertee : poverty 
povre ad. poorly E 1040 
povreliche : poorly, in poverty 
povrely: in poverty 
pownage, pannage, food for swine 

OF pasnage 
powped pt. pi. blew 
poynaunt a. poignant, pungent 

OF poignant 
poynt: point; in poynt] on the 

point of, ready; myd poynt] 

middle ; in good poynt] well 

filled out OF. 
poyson sb. poison OF. 
praktike: practice OF practique 
praktisour sb. practitioner OF. 
pray sb. prey, plunder OF preie 
prayen inf. pray ; pray 1 pr. s. ; 

prayede pt. s. OF preier 
preamble : introduction Lat pre- 

ambulum 
preambulacioun : preamble 
preche inf. preach OF prechier 
prechour: preacher OF precheor 
predicacioun : sermon OF. 
preef: talk, assertion; with yvel 

preef] bad luck to your talk 

D 24 ? OF pruef 
prees sb. press, the crowd OF 

presse 
preesseth 3 pr. s. presses 
preest: priest AS preost 
preeve inf. prove OF prover 
pref: proof ? OF pruef; cf. preef 
prefectes poss. prefect's 
preferre: -be preferred to, better 

than OF preferer 
preiede pt. s. prayed 
praise inf. praise OF preisier 
prelaat: prelate OF prelat 
prenostik : prognostication, pre- 
diction Lat praenosticabus 
prente sb. print; cf. F empreint 
pres sb. press ; forth in pres] 

press forward OF presse 
prescience: foreknowledge OF. 



OF. 



prover 



prese inf. hasten, press on OF 

presser 
presse sb. press; leyd in press] 

curled by tongs or curling- 
papers A 81 ; clothes-press F O 

52 ; mould in which bell is cast 

A 263 OF. 
prest sb. priest AS preost 
prest a. ready OF. 
presumpcioun : presumption 
preve sb. proof OF pruef 
preve inf. prove OF 

prueve 3 pr. s. 
prevely : privily OF prive 
prevy a. privy, secret 
prey, preye inf. pray ; prey 1 pr. 

s. ; preyen 1 pr. pi. ; preyden 1 

pt. pi. OF preier 
preyere: prayer OF preiere 
Priamus : Priam, king of Troy 
Priapus : god of fruitfulness. For 

the story mentioned, Pf 255, see 

Ovid, "Fasti," 415 
pridelees: without pride 
prie inf. look, peer orig. tmcert. 
prikasour: a hard rider < AS 

prician 
prike inf. incite, spur, urge AS 

prician 
priking, prikynge sb. hard riding 
prikke : point, prick, thrust AS 

pricca 
principalle a. principal Du 1003 
prioresse : a nun next in rank to 

an abbess OF. 
pris sb. price, estim.ation, worth 

OF. 
prisoun: prison OF prison 
privee: private, personal, attendant 

OF prive 
prively : secretly 
privetee: secrets OF privete 
precede inf. proceed OF proceder 
proces, processe : course, passage 

of time, long story OF proces 
processiouns : religious processions. 

OF. 
profre sb. offer AF profrer 
profren inf. proffer; profre 2 pr. 

pi. ; profred pp. AF profrer 
profyt: profit OF profit 
progressiouns : progressions, devel* 

opments Lat progressio 



PROHEMYE— 



677 



-PYRAMUS 



prohemye: proem, introduction 
Lat prooemium 

prolixitee : long-windedness OF. 

proporcioned pp. built in propor- 
tion OF. 

proporcionels convenientz: fitting 
proportionals, tables of fractions 
of the year 

proporcioun : calculation of ratios 
OF. 

propre: own, peculiar, individual, 
special OF. 

proprely: properly 

proprete: property, right OF. 

prosperite : prosperity OF. 

proteccioun: protection OF pro- 
tection 

protestacioun : protestation OF. 

Protheseiaus: a Greek at Troy 

proverbe: proverb OF. 

provost: magistrate OF. 

prow sb. advantage OF prou 

prowesse : valor, excellence OF 
proesce 

Pruce: Prussia, English knights 
frequently helped the Teutonic 
knights against the Lithuanians 
and Russians 

pruddest: proudest AS priit 

Pruyse : Prussia 

prye inf. pry, peer orig. uncert. 

pryme: prime, 6-9 a. m. OF prime 

prymer: primer OF primier 

prynses: princes OF princesse 

prys: esteem, renown; sovereyn 
prys] unusual renown OF pris 

prysoun: prison OF prison 

pryve a. secret 

pryvee ad. secretly ; pryvee and 
apert] in private and openly 

pryvee sb. privy OF prive 

pryvely : secretly 

pryvetee : privacy 

Ptholomee : Ptolemy, early geogra- 
pher, misquoted by Wife of 
Bath 

publiced pp. made public, pro- 
claimed OF publier 

Puella and Rubens: two astrologi- 
cal figures 

pul sb. pull, try Pf 164 AS 
pullian 

pulle inf. pluck, cheat AS pullian 



pulpet: pulpit Lat pulpitum 
pultrye: poultry OF pouleterie 
purchace inf. buy, obtain OF 

purchacier 
purchas sb. gain, from begging 

A 256 OF pourchas 
purchasour: conveyancer 
purchasyng sb. conveyancing, 

transference of property 
pure a. pure, natural ; very, ut- 
terly ; the pure death] death it- 
self OF pur 
pure ad. entirely 
pured pp. refined 
purely; purely, totally 
purgatorie: purgatory Lat purga- 

torium 
purpos : purpose; to purpos of] a 

propos OF pourpos 
purs : purse AS purs 
pursute: pursuit, hue-and-cry OF 

poursuite 
purtreye inf. draw OF pourtraire 
purveiaunce: providence OF por- 

veance 
purveye^ inf. provide OF por- 

veeir 
put inf., 3 pr. s., pp. put, present; 

putte 3 pt. s. ; cf. AS putung 

"instigation" 
Pycardie : a province of France on 

the English Channel 
pye sb. pie (? OF pie) 
pye sb. magpie OF pie 
pyk : pike AS pic 
pykepurs : pick purse, pickpocket 
pyler: pillar OF piler 
pyn sb. pin AS pinn 
pynche inf. find fault with (?)OF 

pinchier 
pynched pp. arranged in plaits 
pyne : pain, suffering, passion AS 

pin f. 
pyne inf. torture, harm AS 

pinian 
pynnes sb. pins 
pype inf. pipe, play the pipe < 

AS pipe 
pypes: pipes 
Pyramus : lover of Thisbe, slew 

himself when he found her robe 

torn by a lion 



QUAD— 



678 



— RAYSOUN 



quad, quade : evil < Flemish 

quaad 
quaille sb. quail OF. 
quakynge p. quaking, trembling 

AS cwacian 
qualm: pestilence AS cwealm 
quantite: size OF. 
quarter: fourth part of night Du 

198 OF quartier 
quaylis poss. pi. quails' 
queene: queen AS cwen f. 
queerne: mill AS cweorn f. 
quelle subj. slay AS cwellan 
queme inf. phase AS cweman 
quene: queen, quean AS cwen f. 
querne: hand-mill AS cweorn f. 
questio quid juris: the question is, 

what is the law? 
questioun: question, dispute Lat 

questio 
queynte 3 pt. s. went out, was 

quenched ; queynt pp. AS 

cwencan < cwincan 
queynte a. prudent, ingenious, 

elegant, neat, affected, odd OF 

cointe 
quite inf. release, ransom, requite; 

quitith 3 pr. s. ; quite pp. ; quite 

hir while] pay her for it; quite 

yow youre meede] reward you 

OF quiter 
quitly ad. freely, wholly 
quitte: 1 pt. s. paid back; cf. 

quite 
quod pt. s. said AS cwetSan, pt. 

cwaeS 
quook 3 pt. s. quaked, shook 

AS cwacian 
quoth pt. s. said 
quyk, quyke a. lively, alive AS 

cwic 
quyken : bring alive, come to life ; 

quyked 3 pt. s. AS cwician 
quyknesse : liveliness 
quyk-silver : quick-silver, mercury 
quyrboilly : cuir bouilli, leather 

soaked in hot water and pressed 

into shape, becoming stiff on 

drying 
quyte inf. requite, reward ; cf. 

quite 



Rachel: Rachel, "weeping for her 
children" Matt. ii. 18 

rad pp. read ; cf. rede 

radde 3 pt. s. advised; cf. rede 

Radix malorum est cupiditas: love 
of money is the root of ills (1 
Tim. vi. 10) 

rage sb. frenzy, fierce blast A 
1985 OF. 

rage inf. romp, toy wantonly 
OF ragier 

ragerye: wild spirits OF ragerie 

rakel: rash 

rakelnesse : recklessness 

rake-stele: rake-handle AS stel f. 

ram: a ram was the usual prize at 
wrestling matches AS ramm 

Ram : one of the signs of the 
zodiac. In Chaucer's day the 
sun entered the Ram (Aries) on 
March 12, and left it on April 
11. The half course refers to 
the half of April which is in 
Aries, the other half being in 
Taurus. The year began in 
March, hence the phrase, yonge 
Sonne. Skeat gives April 16, 
1387, as the probable date of the 
meeting of the pilgrims A 8 

rampeth 3 pr. s. rush about OF 
ramper 

ransake inf. ransack, search ; cf. 
Icel raunsake "search a house" 

rape sb. haste; cf. Icel hrapa 
"hasten" 

rasour: razor OF rasor 

rather: sooner; never the rather] 
none the sooner; more willingly 
AS hraSor 

raughte 3 pt. s., pi. reached ; cf. 
reche 

raunson, raunsoun: ransom OF 
rangon 

ravenes poss. raven's AS hraefn 

ravyne: rapine, prey, greed OF. 

ravysedest 2 pt. s. didst draw 
down OF ravir 

ravyshynge : ravishing 

rayed pp. striped OF rai 

raysoun : reason; cf. resoun OF 
raison 



RAZIS— 



679 



—REMEDIES 



Razis: Rhazes, Arabian physician 

of the tenth century- 
real: royal OF reial 
realte: royalty OF roialte 
reawme : realm, kingdom OF 

reialme 
rebellyng sb. rebellion 
recche 1 pr. s. reck, care ; reccheth 

3 pr. s. ; roghte, rought 3 pt. s. 

AS reccean 
recche: read, interpret (or make 

capable of interpretation) AS 

reccean 
reccheless : careless, neglectful 
receyven inf. accept OF receivre 
rechased pp. headed off and driven 

back OF rechasser 
reche inf. reach; raughte 3 pt. s., 

pi. AS rsecan 
recheles : reckless 
rechelesnesse : recklessness 
reclayme inf. reclaim, check OF 

reclamer 
recomandeth 3 pr. s. reflex, com- 
mends OF recommander 
recomende inf. give in charge, 

commend 
reconforte inf. comfort again OF 

reconforter 
recorde sb. report, testimony OF 

record 
recorde 1 pr. s. record, remind 

OF recorder 
recoverede pp. gained, won OF 

recovrer 
red, rede, reed sb. advice, help, 

comfort AS raed m. 
red, rede a. red AS read 
red pp. read; cf. rede 
redde 3 pt. s., pp. read; cf. rede 
reddour : violence OF reidour 
rede inf., 1 pr. s. read, advise, 

interpret ; radde, redde 3 pt. s. ; 

rad, red, redde pp. ; sweven rede] 

interpret the dream AS raedan 
redelees, redelesse : without rede or 

counsel, perplexed ; redeless of 

peyne] without remedy for sor- 
row 
redere : reader 
redily : quickly 

redith 3 pr. s. reads ; cf. rede 
redoutynge : reverence, religious 

fear OF redouter 



redresse sb. redress OF redresser 

redresse inf. redress 

redy a. ready AS raede 

reed sb. advice, plan raed m. 

reed sb. adviser A 665 

reed a. red AS read 

refresshen inf. refresh OF re- 
freschier 

refreyde pp. cooled down OF 
refreidier 

reft pp. taken from ; cf. reven 

refuseded 3 pt. pi. disobeyed OF 
refuser 

refut: refuge OF refuite 

regalye: rule, authority OF 
regalie 

regard: at regard of] in compari- 
son with OF. 

regioun: region OF region 

registre: record OF. 

regne: realm, rule, power OF. 

regneth 3 pr. s. rules, reigns; 
regnen 3 pr. pi. ; regned pp. OF 
regner 

reherce, rehersin inf. rehearse, re- 
peat OF rehercier 

rehersyngys : repetitions 

rejoysed 1 pt. s. refl. rejoiced 

rejoysynge: cause of rejoicing OF 
resjoir 

rekene inf. pay the reckoning AS 
gerecnian B 110 

rekene inf. reckon 

rekenynge : reckoning, account ; 
ther lyeth in rekenynge inne my 
sorwe for no thynge] There is 
nothing owing me (in reken- 
ynge) in my sorrow, i.e. sorrow 
has paid me in full Du 698-9 ; 
maad our rekenynges] paid our 
bills 

rekke inf., 2 pr. pi. reck, care for 
AS reccean 

rekne 1 pr. s. reckon ; cf. rekene 

relayes pi. relays, fresh sets of 
dogs OF relai 

relees: cease; out of relees] with- 
out ceasing OF reles 

relesse inf., 1 pr. s. release OF 
relaissier 

releve : relieve OF relever 

religioun: religion OF. 

relikes: relics OF relique 

remedies pi. remedies, cures ; re- 



REMEMBRAUNCE— 



680 



— REWDE 



of 



OF 



medies of love ; remedies 

Ovyde; cf. Ovyde OF. 
remembraunce : remembrance 
remembre imp. remember 

remembrer 
remembrynge : calling to mind 
remenant, remenaunt, remanent : 

rest, remainder OF remenant 
remes: realms OF reialmes 
remewed pp. moved away 
remoeve 2 pr. pi. subj. remove 

OF removoir 
renagat: renegade Lat renegatus 
reneye: deny faith; reneyed pp. 

OF reneier 
ranges: ranks, rows OF renc 
renne inf. run, go ; turn up 

125 ; renneth, rennyth pr. 

ronnen 3 pt. pi. ; ronne pp. 

rinnan 
rennere : runner 
rennyng : running 
rennyth 3 pr. s 

town OF renome 

glory OF 



B 



AS 



renomee: renown OF renome 



runs ; cf. renne 
OI 

renown, 

pi. renew OF 
tax, tribute 



renoun sb. 

renon 
renoveleth imp. 

renoveler 
rente sb. income, 

OF. 

rendeth ; rente 3 



OF 



rent 3 pr. 

pt. s. 
rentynge: tearing AS rendan 
repair sb. expense of repair 

repaire 
repaire inf. return OF reparer 
repeireth 3 pr. s. returns 
repentaunce : repentance OF. 
repentaunt: repentant OF. 
repente inf. repent OF repentir 
repleccioun: repletion OF reple- 
tion 
repleet: rep-lete, full OF replet 
replicacioun, repplicacioun: means 

of reply OF replication 
reporten inf. report OF reporter 
reportour : reporter 
repreeve: reproof OF reprueve 
repreve inf. reproach, reprove OF 

reprover, 3 pr. s. reprueve 
reproveable : blameworthy 
reputacioun; reputation OF repu- 
tation 



requere inf. seek, demand OF 

requerre 
requeste sb. request OF requeste 

A 1204 
rescous : rescue, attempt to rescue 

OF rescousse 
rese inf. shake AS rsesan 
resigne: resign OF resigner 
reson, resoun: reason, opinion, 

right OF raison 
resonable : reasonable, sensible, en- 
dowed with reason OF. 
resouneth 3 pr. s. resounds OF 

resoner 
respit: respite, delay, time OF 

respit 
respiten inf. respite, gain time ; 

refuse An 259 OF respitier 
reste sb. rest, repose; at reste] 

comfortable AS rest 
reste inf. rest AS restan 
resteles: restless 
restoore 1 pr. s. restore OF 

restorer 
restreyne inf. restrain OF re- 

streindere 
restynge place: dwelling 
retenue: retinue, suite OF retenue 
rethor: one skilled in rhetoric Lat 

rhetor 
rethorik: rhetoric OF rhetorique 
retourneth imp. return OF re- 

tourner 
retournynge sb. return 
retracciouns: retractions OF re- 
traction 
reule sb. rule of discipline OF 

reule 
reulen inf. rule ; refl. conform in 

conduct OF rieuler 
reuthe, : pity ; cf. routhe ; cf. AS 

hreow 
reutheles : ruthless 
reve : bailiff, agent of manor AS 

gerefa 
revelour: reveler OF reveler 
reven inf. rob, take away, bereave 

AS reafian 
rever: river OF riviere 
revers: reverse OF. 
revith : reaves, snathes ; cf. reven 
revolucioun: orbit of stars 
reward: regard OF. 
rewde: rude OF rude 



I 



REWE— 



681 



— ROOTE 



re we sb. row AS raew f. 
reweful : in sorrow 
rewefulleste : most sorrowful 
rewel-boon : whale-ivory; cf. OF 

rochal 
rewen inf. rue, take pity AS 

hreowan 
rewles : rules 
reyn sb. rain AS regn 
reynes sb. reins OF rene 
Reynes : Rennes, a town in Brit- 
tany ; clothe of reynes] linen 
cloth made in Rennes Du 255 
reyneth 3 pr. s. rains 
reysed pp. made expeditions A 54 

cf. Ger reisen 
reysed pp. raised ; cf. Icel reisa 
riall, rialle: royal OF reial 
ribandye : ribaldry OF ribanderie 
ribbes: ribs AS rib 
riche : rich people A 248 AS rice 
richely : richly 
richesse : wealth ; the porter of 

Venus OF richesse 

riden' inf. ride, go on expedition ; 

riden pr, pi., pt. pi., pp. ; rit pr. 

s., pt. s; rood 3 pt. s. AS ridan 

right sb. justice AS riht 

right a. right; as it were right] 

exactly as if it were 
right ad. right, exactly ; right 

thus] just so 
rightful : righteous 
rightwisnesse : righteousness 
rihte : right 

rihtful : rightful, proper 
riotour: rioter OF. 
rist pr. s. riseth ; cf. ryse 
rit pr. s. rideth ; pt. s. rode ; cf. 

riden 
ro : roe, deer AS ra 
robbour: robber OF robeor 
roche: rock OF roche 
the Rochele: La Rochelle, a town 

in France 
rode sb. complexion AS rudu f. 
rode sb. rood, cross AS rod f. 
Rodogone : Rhodogune, daughter 
of Darius, slew her nurse who 
counseled remarriage 
rodok: robin AS rudduc 
rody: ruddy, rosy AS nidig 
rof 3 pt. s. stabbed 



Roger: Ruggiero degli Ubaldini, 

enemy of Ugolino B 3606 
roghte 3 pt. s. affected, cared ; cf. 

recche E 685 
roial a. royal OF. 

roialliche ad. royally 

rokke : rock 

rolleth 3 pr. s. turns over OF 
roller 

rollynge p. rolling, shifty 
\ romaunce : romance, story OF, 
Romaunce of the Rose : an alle- 
gorical French love poem en- 
I titled "Le Roman de la Rose," 
w^ritten by Guillaume de Lorris 
and Jean de Menn, in the thir- 
teenth century. In the poem 
the loved one is a Rose in a 
beautiful garden ; the lover at- 
tempts to pluck the Rose, but is 
hindered by allegorical figures, 
as Shame and Jealousy. Chau- 
cer speaks of translating this, 
(Prol. to Leg. G. W.) and a 
translation, part of which may 
be by Chaucer, is included in 
all complete editions of his works 

Romayn a. Roman 

rombled 3 pt. s. shouted out ; cf. 
Du rommelen 

romed pp. roamed ; cf. romen 

romen inf. roam, w-alk ; rome 1 
pr. pi. ; romede 1 pt. s. ; romed 
pt., pp. orig. uncert. 

Romulus : founder of Rome, son 
of Rhea Silvia 

romynge p. roaming 

ronge 3 pt. s., pi. rang; cf. rynge 

ronne pp. run, completed ; cf. 
renne 

Ronyan : Ronan, a saint 

rood 3 pt. s, rode ; cf. riden A 
169 

roode: rood, cross AS rod 

roode-beem: beam supporting rood 
or cross, over choir entrance 

roofe : roof AS hrof 

roore inf. roar AS rarian 

rocs 3 pt. s. rose ; cf. ryse 

roost sb. roast OF rostir 

rooste inf. roast ; rosted pp. 

roote : root; astronomical property 
of birth of rich ; rootes pi. roots ; 
given tabulated quantity, be- 



ROPYN— 



682 



-SALAMON 



longing to a fixed date, from 
which calculations are made AS 
rot 
ropyn pp. reaped AS ripan 
roreth 3 pr. s. roars; cf. roore 
rose and lilie: flowers of martyr- 
dom and chastity G 21 
rested pp. roasted; cf. rooste 
rote sb. fiddle A 236 OF rote 
rote sb. repetition ; by rote] by 

heart orig. uncert. 
roten, roton a. rotten; cf. Icel 

rotinn 
Rouchestre : Rochester 
roughte: 3 pt. s. recked, cared; 

cf. recche 
rouketh 3 pr. s. cowers orig. 

uncert. 
roule: roll, ramble, gad OF rouler 
Rouncivale: some cell in England 
dedicated to the Blessed Mary 
of Rouncevaux 
rouncy: hackney, nag OF ronci 
rounde a. round OF ronde 
rounde ad. round, easily B 2076 
roundele : roundel, a form of 
French verse, rhyming abb 
abab abb abb (and in other 
ways) OF rondel 
route sb. rout, throng, company 

OF. 
route inf. snore Du 172 AS 

hriitan 
route inf. assemble B540 OF 

route 
routhe : pity ; cf. hreow 
routhelees : ruthless 
rowe : row AS rsew f . 
rowes pi. rays, beams 
Rowlande: Roland, nephew of 
Charlemagne and chief of his 
Twelve Peers. He died at 
Roncesvalles through the treach- 
ery of Ganelon, q. v. 
rownde: round OF ronde 
rowne inf. whisper AS runian 
rowthe : ruth, sorrow, pity ; cf. AS 

hreow f. 
rubeis, rubyes : rubies OF rubis 
rubriche: rubric, rule OF rubriche 
Ruce : Russia 
rude: common OF. 
rudeliche: rudely 
ruest: takest pity AS hreowan 



Rufus: Greek physician of Ephesus 
rum, ram, ruf: alliterative sounds 
rumbel, rumbul: rumbling, noise, 

rumor ; cf . Du rommelen 
rused pt. s. roused, got away AS 

hreosan "rush" 
Russell: the fox OF roussel "red" 
russhyng p. rushing; cf. Du 

ruischen 
Russye : Russia 
ruste inf. rust AS rustian 
Tuyne sb. ruin OF ruine 
ryal: royal OF reial 
ryche : rich AS rice 
rychesse: wealth OF richesse 
ryde inf. ride ; ryden 1 pt. pi. ; cf. 

riden 
ryght sb. right; by ryght] justly 

AS riht 
ryght a. right, proper 
ryght ad. exactly 
rym sb. rime OF rime 
ryme inf. rhyme ; rymeyed pp. 

OF rimer 
rynge : ring, resound ; ryngen 3 

pr. pi.; ronge 3 pt. s., pi.- AS 

hringan 
rynges sb. rings 
rype : ripe, mature AS ripe 
ryse inf., pr. pi. subj. rise; rist 

pr. s. ; roose pt. s. ; rysen pp. 

AS risan 
rysen pp. risen; cf. ryse 
ryte : rite Lat ritus 
ry ve inf. tear, cut open ; cf. Icel 

rifa 
ryver: river OF riviere 



sacrifie imp. sacrifice OF sacrifier 
sacrifise sb. sacrifice OF sacrifice 
sad, sadde: patient, serious, sober 

AS saed 
sadel: saddle AS sadol 
sadel-bowe : saddle-bow 
sadly: seriously, deeply, plentifully 
sadnesse : patience 
saffron inf. to give color and 

savor, as with saflfron OF saf- 

raner 
saffroun: saffron OF safran 
saille inf. sail AS seglian 
Salamon, Salomon : Solomon 



SALEWEDE— 



683 



—SCHETTE 



salewede 1 pt. s, greeted OF 
saluer 

Saluces: Saluzzo 

salue inf. greet ; salueth pr. s. 
OF saluer 

saluyng : greeting 

salwes: willow twigs, osiers AS 
sealh m. 

Samaritan : the woman of Samaria 

Sampson, Sampsoun : Samson, a 
judge of Israel, famous for his 
supernatural strength. As a 
Nazarite, he drank no wine. 
After his betrayal by Delilah, 
when his strength returned he 
caused himself to be led between 
the two main pillars of the tem- 
ple of Dagon, in which the lords 
of the Philistines were feasting. 
By thrusting the pillars out of 
place he caused the temple to fall, 
slaying himself and thousands of 
the Philistines; cf. Judges xvi. 

sangwyn sb. sanguine color, blood- 
red cloth OF sanguin 

sangwyn a. ruddy 

sanz : without 

sapience: wisdom OF. 

Sapor: the first, king of Persia 240- 
273. He defeated Emperor Vale- 
rian, and in turn was defeated by 
Zenobia and Odenatus 

sarge: serge OF serge 

Sarray : Sarai, a city near the Cas- 
pian Sea, seat at one time of 
the Tartar kings 

sarvant: servant OF servant 

Satalye : Attalia or Adalia, in Asia 
Minor, captured in 1357 

sate pt. s. sat ; cf. sitten ; doune 
on knees sate] knelt; sate hyr 
ful lytel at herte] troubled her 
little 

Sathanas: Satan 

Saturne: the planet Saturn was 
supposed to exert an evil in- 
fluence 

Saturnus: the father of Jupiter 
and the gods. His planet was 
supposed to have a baleful in- 
fluence upon men and events, 
causing strife and trouble 

satyn: satin OF satin 

sauf: saved, excepted OF. 



saufly: safely 

saugh 3 pt. s. saw ; cf. se 

sautrie sb. psaltery, a stringed 

instrument OF psalterie 
savacyoun: salvation OF sauva- 

cion 
save : the herb sage Lat salvia 
save prep., conj. save, except OF 

sauf 
save inf., 3 pr. s. subj. save; 

savith 3 pr. s. ; savedest 3 pt. s. ; 

saveth imp. pi. OF sauver 
savedest 3 pt. s. saved; cf. save 
saveour: savior OF sauveur 
i savith 3 pr. s. saves; cf. save 
! savoure inf., imp. taste OF 
I savourer 

I savouris: smells Pf. 274 
} savynge p. keeping inviolate 
I savynge prep, saving, except 
; sawcefleem a. covered with pimples 

OF saus "salt" + flemme 
sawe sb. saying, maxim AS 

sagu f. 
sawe 1 pt. s. saw ; cf. se 
sawse: sauce OF sausse 
say pt. s. saw (probably Chaucer's 

regular- form, as it occurs in 

rime) ; cf. se 
sayede pt. s., pp. said; cf. saye 
saylynge a. sailing, used in ships 
sayn, sayne inf. say ; cf. seye 
sayn pp. seen ; cf. se 
Sayne : the Seine 
scabbe : scab Icel skab 
scalle : scab ; cf. Icel skalli "bald" 
scalled pp. scabby 
scapen inf. escape OF escaper 
scarsly ad. economically A 583 ; 

scarcely B 3602 
scathe sb. misfortune ; that was 

scathe] that was a pity Icel 

ska6i f. 
Scedasus: a native of Boeotia, in 

Greece 
schap : shape AS sceap 
schape pp. ordained AS scieppan, 

pp. secapen 
sche : she 

scherte : shirt AS scyrte 
scherynge: shearing AS sceran 
schete inf. shoot AS sceotan 
schethe sb. sheathe AS scetS f. 
schette 3 pt. s. shut; cf. shetten 



SCHEWID— 



684 



— SEISTOW 



schewid : shown ; cf. shewe 

schop 3 pt. s. refl. prepared ; cf. 
shape 

schryne : shrine AS serin 

schul 3 pr. pi. shall; cf. sTial 

science: knowledge, science OF. 

Scipioun: (1) Publius Cornelius 
Scipio Africanus, Roman general 
and conqueror of Carthage in 
Africa, B. C. 202, whence his 
name Affrikan. (2) Cornelius 
Scipio ^milianus Africanus Min- 
or, the hero of the Third Punic 
War, whose dream of his grand- 
father by adoption, the elder 
Africanus, is discussed by Macro- 
bius, q. V. 

Scithero: Cicero; cf. Tullius 

Scithia: Scythia, ancient country 
around the Black Sea 

sclat: slate OF esclat 

sclaundre sb. slander, evil report 
OF esclondre 

sclendre: slender; cf. ODu. 

Scogan : tutor to Henry IV's sons 

scole : school, style AS scolu f . 

scole-matere : subject for scholastic 
disputation 

scoler: scholar, student 

to scoleward : on the way to school 

scoleye inf. go to school. It was 
customary for poor students to 
beg money for their education, 
even going from door to door; 
cf. OF escoler "teach" 

scorpioun: scorpion OF. 

Scot sb. a common Norfolk name 
for a horse 

Scotlandward : towards Scotland 

Scottes: Scots 

scourging : scourging, disciplining 
OF escorgier 

scriveyn: scrivener OF escrivain 

se, see sb. sea AS sse f. 

se, seen, sen, scene, sene, seon inf. 
see ; seen pr. pi ; sawe, saugh, 
say, seigh, seye, seyen, seyide, 
syen pt. ; sayn, sene, seye, seyn 
pp. AS seon 

seche inf. seek AS secan 

secounde : second OF seconde 

secre a. secret OF. 

secree sb. and ad. secret, secretly 
OF. 



secreely : secretly 

secreenesse: secrets 

sed sb. seed AS ssed n. 

sede inf. seed, give seed AS 
s^dian 

seege : siege OF siege 

seeke : sick AS seoc 

seel sb. seal, print OF. 

seelde a. seldom AS seldan 

seen inf., 2 pr. pi. see; cf. se 

scene inf. see; cf. se 

sect 3 pt. s. sat; cf. sittcn 

secth 3 pt. s. boiled AS seotSan 

scettes : seats ; cf . Icel sseti 

seigh pt. s. saw ; cf. se 

scillynge p. sailing 

sein inf. say ; cf. seyn 

seint a. holy OF saint 

Seint Bcncit: St. Benet or Bene- 
dict, the founder of the Benedic- 
tine order of monks, died 542 

Seint Edward: Edward the Con- 
fessor 

Seint Jamc: St. James, whose body 
was carried in a rudderless ship 
to Compostella, in Galicia 

Seint Julian: St. Julian was famous ii 
for providing good things for 11 
his votaries 

Seint Maure: St. Maur, a disciple 
of St. Benet 

Seint Nicholas: St. Nicholas, the 
boy-bishop and patron of school 
boys, showed marks of piety 
when in the cradle 

Seint Thomas: St. Thomas a 
Becket killed at Canterbury 

Seint Thomas of Ynde : The Apos- 
tle Thomas died in India. He 
is thus called to distinguish him 
from St. Thomas of Canterbury 

Seinte Loy: Loy < Eloy < Eligius. 
St. Eligius refused to take the 
oath when testifying, therefore 
an oath in his name was very 
mild, practically no oath, being, 
once removed, no oath at all 

Seinte Poules : St. Paul's Cathedral 

Seintes Legende of Cupide: The 
Legend of Good Women 

seintuarie : saint's relic OF saint- 
uaire 

seistow 2 pr. s. sayest thou ; cf. 
seye 



SEITH— 

seith 3 pr. s. says ; for mysseith 

3 pr. s. slanders B 3112; cf. 

seye 
sek, seke a. sick AS seoc 
sekeenesse: sickness 
seken inf., pr. pi. seek, visit; 

soghte 3 pt. s. subj.; soughte 

pp. ; sowhte pt. pi. AS secan 
selde: seldom AS seldan A 1539 
seled: sealed OF seeler 
selle inf. sell AS sellan 
selleres pi. merchants 
selve a. own, very, same AS self 

B 115 
selven : self 
sely: happy, harmless, weak, silly, 

simple, kind, good AS saelig 

"happy" 
semblant: appearance OF. 
seme inf. seem ; cf. Icel ssema 

"honor" 
semelieste : handsomest 
semely a. likely, comely 
semely ad. properly, in a seemly 

manner 
semycope sb. short cape OF. 
semyly : comely 
semynge : appearance, seeming ; to 

my semynge] as it seems to me 
Semyramus : Semiramis, queen of 

Babylon, famous for wantonness 

and imperial reign 
sen inf. see ; cf. se 
senatour : senator OF. 
sendal: cloth of silk for lining OF 

cendal 
sende inf. send ; sent pt., pp. ; 

synde 3 pr. s. subj. AS sendan 
sene inf. and pp. to see ; cf. se 
Senec : Seneca, Roman philosopher 
senge inf. singe ; seynd pp. AS 

sengan 
sent pt. s. sent; cf. sende 
sentement: the feeling of love OF 

sentiment 
sentence: meaning, sense, order; 

hy sentence] lofty sentiment OF. 
seen inf. see ; cf. se 
Septe : Centa, in Morocco 
Septemtrioun: North 
septure: sceptre OF sceptre 
sepulture: sepulchre OF. 
Serapioun : a mediaeval physician, 



685 — SEYDE 



probably of the twelfth century 

A 432 
sercele : circle, sphere OF cercle 
serchen 3 pr. pi. search, haunt 

OF cerchier 
Sereis: Ceres, goddess of harvest 
Sergeant of the Lawe : sergeant-at- 

law, the highest rank at the 

common-law bar 
sermonyng : preaching 
sermoun: discourse OF sermon 
serpent: the hydra of Lerna B 

3295 OF. 
sertys: certes OF certes, pi. f. 

of cert 
servage: service, bondage OF. 
servant, servaunt: servant, lover 

OF. 
serve inf. serve, help ; servede 1 

pt. s. OF servir 
servise : performance, concert Du 

302 OF. 
servitute: servitude OF. 
servyn inf. serve 
servysable: helpful 
servyse: service OF servise 
serwaunt: servant 
serye : series, connected argument 
serys: sirs OF sire 
sese: seize; sesed pp. OF seisir 
seson, sesoun sb. season OF 

saison 
sessiouns sb. pi. meetings of the 

Justices of the Peace OF ses- 
sion Lat sessio 
set 3 pr. s., pp. set ; cf. sette 
sete pt. sat; cf. sitten 
sethe inf. seethe, boil AS seot5an 
sette inf., 3 pr. s., pp. set; set 

3 pr. s., pp. ; set a cappe] make 

a fool of ; wel sette] seemly, 

suitable AS settan 
seuretee: security, pledge OF 

seurte 
seven: seven; seven sterris] the 

seven planets 
seventhe : seventh 
sewed 3 pt. s. followed OF sivre, 

3 pr. s. suit 
sewes: broths AS seaw "juice" 
sexteyn: sexton < sacristan 
sey inf., 3 pr. pi., imp. tell; cf. 

seye 
seyde 3 pt. pi. said; cf. seye 



SEYDYN- 



686 



— SHOLDER-BOON 



seydyn 3 pt. pi. said; cf. seye 

seye pp., f. seen ; cf. se 

seye, sey, seyn, seyne, sayn, sayne 

inf. say, tell ; seith 3 pr. s. ; 

seistow 2 pr. s. ; sey 3 pr. pi. ; 

seysthow 2 pr. s. ; sayed, sayede 

pt. s. ; seyde 3 pt. pi. ; seydyn 

3 pt. pi. ; sey imp. ; sayede pp. 

AS secgan 
seye 1 pt. s. saw; cf. se 
seyen 3 pt. pi. saw; cf. se 
Seyes: Ceyx, husband of Alcyone," 

q. V. 
seyide 1 pt. s. saw ; cf. se 
seyl sb. sail AS segl 
seyn inf. say; cf. seye 
seyn pp. seen ; seyn biforn] fore- 
seen; cf. se 
seynd : singed, broiled ; cf . senge 
seyne inf. say; cf. seye 
seyne pp. seen; cf. se 
seysthow 2 pr. s. sayest thou; cf. 

seye 
shadde 3 pt. s. poured AS scadan 
shadewe, shadwe sb. shadow, 

shade AS sceadu 
shadwed pp. shaded 
shaftes: spears, lances; shaft of 

arrow A 1362 AS sceaft 
shake pp. shaken AS scacan 
shal 1 pr. s. shall ; schul, shalle, 

shalt, shul, shulle pr. ; shuldest, 

shulde pt. AS sceal 
shalle 1 pr. s. shall; cf. shal 
shaltow 2 pr. s. shalt thou; cf. 

shal 
shame s. shame, modesty ; doo 

shame] put to shame AS scamu 

f. 
shamefast: shamefaced, modest 

AS scamfsest 
shamefastnesse : bashfulness, mod- 
esty 
shamen inf. shame 
shameth 3 pr. s. thee shameth] 

thou art ashamed; cf. shamen 
shap sb. shape AS sceap Pf 373 
shape inf. refl. plan, prepare ; 

shapen 2 pr. pi. ; shoope pt. s. ; 

shape, shapen pp. fated 
shaply a. fitted 
shappe 1 pr. s. devise, form 
sharpe a. sharp AS scearp 
sharpe ad. sharply 



shave pp. shaved AS scafan 
shedde 3 pt. s. shed AS scadan 
sheef: sheaf AS sceaf 
sheeld: shield AS scield m. 
sheeldes: crowns, coins worth 

3s. 4d. A 278 
sheene: bright, beautiful AS 

scene 
shende inf. shame, ruin, corrupt, 

scold ; shente 3 pt. s. ; shent pp. 

AS scendan 
shene sb. shining AS scene 
shene a. bright 
shene ad. brightly 
shent pp. corrupted A 2754; 

scolded B 1731; cf. shende 
shente 3 pt. s. put to shame ; cf. 

shende 
sheo : she 
shepherde: shepherd AS sceap- 

hyrde 
shepne: sheep fold AS scypen 
shere sb. shears AS sceara 
shere inf. shear, cut AS sceran 
sherte: shirt AS scyrte 
shet pp. shut; cf. shetten 
shete: sheet AS scete 
shetere a. shooter, used for bows 
shetten inf. shut ; shette pt. pi. ; 

shet, shette pp. AS scyttan 
shewe inf. show ; sheweth 3 pr. s. ; 

shewede 3 pt. s. ; shewid pp. 

AS sceawian 
sheweth pr. s. sheweth . . . youre 

servaunt] your servant presents; 

cf. shewe 
shifte inf. distribute, ordain AS 

sciftan 
shilde 3 pr. s. prevent, shield AS 

scyldan 
shille: shrill AS scyl 
shipe sb. pay An 193 AS scipe 
shipe sb. ship An 194 AS scip n. 
shipnes: stables, sheds AS scypen 
shire sb. county; shires poss. A 

15 AS scir f. 
shirreve: reve or governor of a 

shire ; modern sheriff 
shiten pp. foul, defiled 
sho: shoe AS sco 
shode: temple of the head AS 

sceada 
shof 3 pt. s. shoved AS sciifan 
sholder-boon : shoulder blade 



SHOLDRED— 



687 



-SKORNED 



sholdred pp. shouldred 

sholdysthow 2 pr. s. shouldest 
thou ; cf. shal 

shon pt. s. shone ; cf. shyne 

shonde sb. shame AS second 

shoo: shoe; shoon pi. AS sco 

shoope, shope pt. s. planned, dis- 
posed ; cf. shape 

shorte a., pi. short; at shorte 
wordis] in short AS scort 

shorte inf. shorten AS sceortian 

shortly: quickly, briefly 

shot sb. arrow or crossbow bolt 
AS scot 

shoures: showers AS sciir 

shoutynge sb. shouting orig. 
unkn. 

showvyng sb. shoving 

shredde 3 pt. s. sliced AS screa- 
dian 

shrewe sb. shrew, cursed fellow 

shrewe 1 pr. s. curse, consign to 
the devil 

shrewed a. cursed 

shrewednesse : cursedness 

shrighte 3 pt. s. shrieked 

shryfte: shrift, confession; as 
shryfte wythoute repentaunce] as 
one who confesses but does not 
repent AS scrift 

shrympes: shrimps, dwarfs; cf. 
AS scrimman "dry up" 

shryned pp. enshrined AS serin 

shul pr. pi. shall; cf. shal 

shulde pt. s. should; cf. shal 

shuldest 2 pt. s. should ; cf. shal 

shuldres pi. shoulders AS sculdor 

shulle, shuUen pr. shall; cf. shal 

shyne sb. shin AS scinu 

shyne inf. shine ; shon pt. s. AS 
scinan 

shyveren 3 pr. pi. shiver, go into 
fragments 

sich: such, that is what AS swylc 

sicknes: sickness, disease 

Sidyngborne : Sittingbourne, forty 
miles from London, between 
Rochester and Canterbury 

sighte sb. sight AS ge-sihS f. 

signe sb. sign OF. 

significavit: a writ of excommuni- 
cation beginning **significavit 
nobis venerabilis frater" 

sike a. sick AS seoc 



sike inf. sigh ; siketh, sykyth 3 

pr. s. AS sican 
siker a. certain, safe AS sicor 
siker ad. certainly 
sikerer: surer, more regular 
sikerly : certainly 
sikernesse: safety, security 
siketh, sikith 3 pr. s. sighs; cf. 

sike 
sikirly: surely 

sikly ad. badly, with ill will 
siknesse: sickness 
Silla: for her lover Minos betrayed 

her father Nisus 
similitude : likeness, presentation, 

statement OF. 
simple a. unaffected OF. 
sinne sb. sin, evil AS synn f. 
sippe inf. sip, taste AS sypian 
Sir Gy: Sir Guy of Warwick, a 

Middle English metrical romance 
Sir Lybeux: Lybeaus Disconus, a 

Middle English metrical romance 
Sir Percy veil: Sir Percival 
sith ad. then C 869 AS sitSSan 
sith, sithe conj. since 
sithe sb. scythe AS sit5e 
sithes^pl. times; ofte sithes] oft- 
times AS sits 
sitten inf. sit ; sitte pr. s. ; sate, 

seet, sete pt. AS sittan 
sitthe: afterwards 
sittyngest: most suitable 
sixte : sixth 

skalis: scales OF escale 
skapid pp. escaped OF eschaper 
skars: scarce OF escars 
skarsly : scarcely 
skarsytee: scarcity 
skile : cause, reason, profit ; pi. 

fancies; cf. Icel skil 
skilful a. reasonable; skilful placis 

that here charge] in important 

situations 
skillis: reasons; cf. skile 
skipte pt. s. jumped ; cf. skyppe 
sklendre: slender, slight (?) Du 

slinder 
Skogon: Henry Scogan, tutor of 

the sons of Henry IV, and friend 

of Chaucer 
skorned 3 pt. s. scorned ; ne 

skorned less] nor one that 

scorned less 



SKORNERE— 



688 



— SOLEMPNYTEE 



skornere : scorner 

skorneth 3 pr. s. scorns OF 

escorner 
skornynge : mocking 
skriked pt. pi. shrieked ; cf. Icel 

skraekja 
skylful : skilful 
skylfully : advantageously 
skyppe inf. skip ; cf. Icel skopa 
slake inf. desist, cease, end AS 

slacian 
slakke a. slow AS slaec 
slaughtre: slaughter; cf. Icel slatr 

"slain flesh" AS sliht 
slawe pp. slain ; cf. sle 
slayn pp. slain ; cf. sle 
sle, slee inf., imp. slay; sleen 2 

pr. pi. ; sleeth 3 pr. s. ; slough, 

slowgh, slow pt. s. ; slawe, slayn, 

sleyn pp. AS slean 
sledere a. slippery AS slidor 
sleen 2 pr. pi. slay ; cf. sle 
sleer: slayer 

sleeth 3 pr. s. slays ; cf. sle 
sleighte sb. trickery, craft ; cf. 

Icel slasgt5 
slen inf. slay ; cf. sle 
slep sb. sleep AS slslp m. 
slepe inf. sleep ; slepes 3 pr. s. ; 

slepen 3 pr. pi; sleep, slepe, 

slepte 3 pt. s. ; sleptin 3 pt. pi. 

AS slaepan 
slepy: sleep-causing A 1387 
slepynge sb. sleep 
sieves: sleeves AS slef 
sleyn pp. slain ; cf. sle 
slider: slippery AS sliSor 
slight : cunning ; cf. Icel slaegtS 
slit 3 pr. s. slideth ; cf. slyde 
slitte inf. pierce, slit AS slitan 
slogardrie : sluggishness, laziness 

orig. uncert. 
slogardye: sloth 
slong pt. s. -slung AS slingan 
slough 3 pt. s. slew ; cf . sle 
slouthe: sloth AS slaewtS f. 
slow, slowgh pt. s. slew ; cf. sle 
sluttissh : slovenly 
slyde inf. slide, slip past ; slit 3 

pr. s. AS slidan 
slye : clever, crafty, neat ; cf. Icel 

slsegr 
slyghte : sleight 
slyk : sleek orig. uncert. 



smal ad. little AS smael 

smale, smalle : slender, small 

smel sb. odor ; cf. L Ger smelen 

"smoke" 
smelle 1 pr. s. smell 
smellynge: smelling 
smert sb. smart, pain ; cf. AS 

smeortan 
smerte a. sharp, painful 
smerte ad. sharply 
smerte inf., pt. s., impers. smart, 

pain, grieve 
smok : smock, dress AS smocc 
smoklees: without even a sm^ock 
smoot 3 pt. s. struck; cf. smyte 
smothe a. smooth AS smot5 
smothe ad. smoothly A 676 
smylere: smiler, hypocrite; cf. Dan 

smile 
smylyng: sb. smiling 
smyte inf. smite; smyt pr. s., 

imp. ; smoot pt. s. ; smyten pp. 

AS smitan 
smyth: blacksmith AS smiS 
snewed 3 pt. s. snowed AS snaw 
snowte : nose ; cf. Icel snyta 
snybben inf. rebuke ; snybbed pp. ; 

cf. Icel snubba 
so ad. so, so much AS swa 
so conj. so that 
so ferforthly: to the extent of 
sobre : sober, serious OF. 
sobrely ad. sadly, seriously 
sobtil: crafty, searching OF sobtil 
sobyrly : soberly 
soche : such 

socour sb. succor OF. 
Socrates : Athenian philosopher, 

famous for tranquillity under 

affliction 
sodeinly: suddenly OF sodain 
sodeynliche : suddenly 
soffren: suffer OF sofrir 
softe a. gentle AS safte 
softe ad. softly, timidly 
soghte 3 pt. s. subj. examined ; cf. 

seken 
sojourne inf. tarry OF sojorner 
solaas, solas : comfort, amusement 

OF solas 
solempne a. solemn, festive OF. 
solempnely ad. in an important 

manner A 274 
solempnytee : ceremony 



SOLEYN— 689 — SOWDED 


soleyn: alone, mateless OF solein 


sophistrye : sophistry OF sophis- 


solitarie: alone Lat solitarius 


terie 


som: some, a certain AS sum 


sophyme : sophism, trick of logic 


somdeel, somdel: somewhat, to 


OF soffime E 5 


some extent 


sorcerie: sorcery OF. 


somer: summer; somerys poss. ; 


sorofull: sorrowful AS sorgful 


someres game] (mid-) summer's 


sorowe : sorrow AS sorg f. gen. 


play D 648 AS sumor 


sorge 


som-kyn: some kind of 


sorowfull: sorrowful 


somme : some 


sort: lot, fate OF. 


somme : sum ; sommes pi. sum of 


sorwe: sorrow AS sorg f. 


money OF somme 


sorwen 3 pr. pi. sorrow AS sor- 


somnour, somonour : a summoner, 


gian 


whose business was to summon 


sorwful : sorrowful 


delinquents to the ecclesiastical 


sorwynge s. sorrowing 


courts OF semoneor 


sory: sorry; sory grace] misfortune 


somtyme: once, formerly 


AS sarig 


somwhat ad. somewhat 


soryest: sorriest or sorest 


send: sand AS sand m. 


soth, sothe sb. truth AS soS 


Sonday : Sunday 


sothe a. true 


sonde: message AS sand f. 


sothefastnesse : truth 


sondry a. sundry, various 


sothely, sothly : certainly, truly 


sone sb. son ; sone of Eve] child 


sought pp. sought; cf. seken 


of Eve AS sunu m. 


souked pp. sucked AS sucan 


sone ad, soon, quickly AS sona 


soukynge: sucking, nursing 


songe sb. song, poem AS song 


soule : soul AS sawol f. 


mn. 


soun, soune sb. sound OF son 


songe 3 pt. s. sang; songen pt. 


sounde 4nf. heal AS sundian 


pi. ; cf. synge 


soupen inf. sup OF soper 


sonken pp. sunken ; AS sincan 


souple a. soft, flexible OF. 


Sonne: sun AS sunne f. 


soure: sourly AS sure 


sonne-beem: sunbeam AS sunne- 


sours: source, spring OF sourse 


beam 


E 49 


sonnest: soonest 


soutere: cobbler AS sutere 


soo so ; who soo] whoso, whoso- 


southe sb. truth ; cf. soth 


ever AS swa 


southren: southron, from the south 


soold pp. sold AS sellan 


of England, as opposed to north 


soond: sand AS sand m. 


England where alliterative poetry 


soone : soon AS s5na 


was most practiced 


soong 1 pt. s. sang; cf. synge 


Southwerk: Southwark, south of 


soor sb. sore AS sar n. 


the Thames, across London 


soore a. sore AS sar 


Bridge 


soore ad. sorely AS sare A 148 


soutil ad. subtly, finely OF. 


soote a. sweet AS swete 


soutiltee: device OF. 


sooth a. true AS soS 


soutyle : subtle 


sooth pley quad pley : true jest is 


souvenaunce : remembrance OF. 


ill jest 


soveraynetee, sovereynetee : sover- 


soothe: truth; soothe to seyn] to 


eignty OF sovrainete 


speak truthfully AS sot5 n. 


sovereyn a. great, excellent, chief 


soothf astnesse : truthfulness 


OF sovrain 


soothly : truly 


Sowdan : Sultan 


sope: sop, bread or cake soaked in 


Sowdanesse: Sultana 


a liquid < AS supan "to sup" 


sowded to pp. confirmed in OF 


-soper: supper OF soper 


souder 



SOWE— 



690 



— SQUYRELIS 



sowe : sow ; sowes poss. s. AS sugu 
sowed pp. sewed AS siwian 
sowen inf., pp. sow AS sawan 
sowhte pt. pi. sought; cf. seken 
sowled pp. given a soul to 
sowne inf. sound, play upon, be in 

harmony with, tend to; sowneth 

3 pr. s. tends to B 3158; 

sownynge p. OF soner 
sownynge p. sounding Du 925 ; 

in harmony with, conducing to 

A 275 
sowple: obedient OF souple 
sowre : sorely 
sowres sb. pi. sowres, bucks of 

the fourth year OF sor 
space : space, length of time ; as 

of so litel space] considering the 

brevity of his service A 87 ; 

course A 175 OF espace 
spadde 1 pt. s. sped ; cf. spade 
Spaigne : Spain 
spak 3 pt. s. spoke ; cf. speke 
spanne: span, measure of distance 

AS spann 
sparcle sb. spark < AS spearca 
spare inf. refrain, cease, fail AS 

sparian 
sparhauk: sparrow-hawk AS spear- 

hafoc 
sparkes pi. sparks AS spearca 
sparkles: sparks, live coals 
sparklynge p. sparkling 
sparre sb. beam orig. uncert. 
sparth; battle-axe orig. uncert. 
sparwe: sparrow AS spearwa 
Spayne : Spain 

spaynel: spaniel OF espagnol 
speaken inf. speak; speake 3 pr. 

s. ; cf. speke 
speces pi. species OF especes 
speche: speech, conversation, voice 

AS spaec f. 
spectacle: eyeglass OF. 
spede inf., 3 pr. s. subj. succeed, 

prosper ; spadde, spedded 3 pt. s. ; 

sped pp. ; sped, spedde imp. AS 

spedan 
spedeful : profitable 
speede imp. prosper ; cf. spede 
speeke 3 pr. subj. speak ; cf. speke 
speere : sphere ; eighte speere] 

eighth sphere, sphere of the fixed 

stars OF espere 



speke inf., 3 pr. s. speak; speeke 

3 pr. s. subj. ; spak 3 pt. s. ; 

speken 3 pt. pi. ; spoken pp. AS 

specan 
spekyng sb. speech 
spelle: story, tale AS spell n. 
spende inf. spend; spenden 1 pr. 

pi. ; spente 3 pt. s. ; spent pp. 

AS spendan 
spere sb. spear AS spere 
sperhauk : sparrow-hawk AS spear- 

hafoc 
speris: spheres OF esperes 
sperme: seed OF esperme 
spiced a. seasoned (by hypocrisy) 

OF espicier 
spicerye: spices OF espicerie 
spille inf. spill, upset, destroy, 

spoil ; spille 3 pr. s. subj. may 

die B 285 ; spilt pp. AS spillan 
spirite: spirit; spiritis pi. OF es- 

pirit 
spitously: without pity OF de- 

spitos 
spitte 1 pr. s. spit AS spittan 
spore sb. spur; paire of spores] 

women then rode astride A 473 

AS spura 
spousaille: espousal, wedding OF 

espousailles 
spoused pp. espoused, wedded 
spradde 3 pt. s. spread ; cf. sprede 
sprede inf. spread, open; spradde 

3 pt. s. ; sprad pp. AS spraedan 
sprengen inf. sprinkle, scatter ; 

spreynd pp. AS sprengan 
spreynd pp. sprinkled; cf, sprengen 
sprong: 3 pt. s. sprang up; cf. 

sprynge 
spryng flood: spring tide, when the 

sun and moon are in opposition 
sprynge inf. spring, grow; sprong 

3 pt. s. ; spronge pp. AS sprin- 

gan 
spryngyng sb. source 
spurne: kick AS spurnan 
spynnynge : spinning ; spynnynge 

on feeld] she spun while keeping 

the sheep AS spinnan 
Squier : squire, one who attends 

on a knight OF escuier 
squiereth 3 pr. s. squires, escorts 
squyrelis, sqwireles: squirrels OF 

esquireul 



STAALE— . 



691 



— STOD 



staale 3 pt. s. stole upon; cf. 

stelen 
staat: state, condition OF estat 
stable sb. stable OF estable 
stable a. permanent, constant 
stablissed pp. established OF 

establir 
Stace of Thebes: the **Thebaid" of 

Statius, in which these details 

are not given A 2294 
staf: staff AS staef 
staf-slynge: a sling fastened to a 

stick to get greater power; cf. 

F eslingue 
stal 3 pt. s. stole ; cf. stelen C 

610 
stalke sb. stalk, stick; cf. the 

parable of the mote and the 

beam in Matt. vii. 3 A 3919; 

cf. AS stela "handle" 
stalke inf. creep, move slowly AS 

stalcian 
stalle sb. stall AS steall mn. 
stampe pr. pi. pound AS stempan 
stant 3 pr. s. stands ; cf. stonde 
stape pp. far gone, advanced AS 

steppan 
starf 3 pt. s. died; cf. sterve 
Starke: strong, severe AS stearc 
starlyng: starling AS stserline 
startlyng: moving rapidly AS 

steartlian 
Stat: state, estate OF estat 
statue: statue, portrait OF. 
stature: height OF estature 
statut sb. statute; statutis pi. 

OF. 
staves poss. pole's AS staef 
stede place ; in stede] instead AS 

stede 
stedefast, stedfaste: steadfast 
stedfastnes : constancy 
steedes: steeds AS steda 
steere: rudder, guide AS steora, 

steor 
steerelees: rudderless 
stekid pp. stuck AS stician 
stel: steel AS stel 
stelen inf. steal ; staale, stal 3 pt. 

s. ; stole pp. AS stelan 
stellefye inf. set among the stars 
stemed 3 pt. pi. gleamed AS 

steman 



stenten inf. stop, cease ; stent pt. 

s., pp. AS styntan 
stepe a. bright AS steap 
stere : rudder, guide AS steor, 

steora 
sterlynges: coins sterling AS 

staerlinc 
sternely: sternly AS styrne 
sterres pi. stars ; sterres sevene] 

this may mean the seven planets 

known to the ancients, or, as the 

planets have been mentioned, the 

seven stars in Ursa Major, or 

the Great Dipper; or possibly 

the seven stars of the Pleiades 

Du 823 AS steorra m. 
sterry : starry 
sterte sb. start; at a sterte] at 

one leap; cf. AS sturtan 
sterte inf., pt. s. start, leap ; 

stirte 3 pt. s. 
sterve inf. die, perish; starf 3 

pt. s. AS steorfan 
Steven sb. sound; appointed time; 

at unset stevene] unexpectedly 

AS stefn 
steyre : stair, degree AS staeger 
stibourne: stubborn < AS styb 

*'stub" 
stid: stead AS stede 
stidefast, stidfast: steadfast 
stierne : stern AS styrne 
stif a. strong, deep AS stif 
stifly: unremittingly 
stiketh 3 pr. s. sticks ; stiked 

3 pt. s. stuck; stiked pp. stabbed 

AS stician 
stikke sb. stick, twig AS sticca 
Stilbon: the planet Mercury (an 

error for Chilon, an embassador, 

from Mercury's being messenger 

of the gods) 
stile : style, manner of writing E 

41, F 105 OF stile 
stillatorie: still F distillatoire 
stille: still, quiet AS. 
stinte inf. stop, leave off; cf. 

stenten 
stire inf. stir, incite AS styrian 
stiropes: stirrups AS stigrop 

"mounting-rope" 
stirte 3 pt. s. started ; cf. sterte 
stod pt. s., stoden pt. pi. stood; 

cf. stonde Pf 98 



STODYE- 



692 



— STYNTE 



stodye : industry in study; cf. OF 

estudie 
stok : stock, race ; stokkes pi. 

stumps AS stocc 
stoke inf. stab Du stoken 
stole pp. stolen ; cf. stelen 
stomblen 3 pr. pi. stumble 
ston, stoon : stone AS stan m. 
stonde inf. stand, be placed; 

stant, stondeth pr. s. ; stod, 

stood pt. s. ; stoden pt. pi. ; 

stonde pp. ; stonden at] agree to 

A 778 AS standan 
stone: stone; pi. jewels Du 979 
stongen pp. stung; cf. stynge 
stoor : amount, store, stock ; telle 

no stoor] take no ^tock in ; no 

stoor] not at all OF estor 
storial a. historical, storied 
stot sb. a cob, strong horse 
stounde: hour, time; that harde 

stounde] that cruel time AS 

stund f. 
strake inf. move ; cf. AS strican 

"go" 
Stratford atte Bowe: a Benedictine 

nunnery at Stratford, London E. 

The French taught here would 

be Anglo-French, the business, 

legal, and court language of Eng- 
land. It differed from Paris 

French 
straughte 3 pt. pi. stretched ; cf . 

strecche 
straunge : strange, foreign, distant ; 

made it straunge] affected to 

stand aloof OF estrange 
strawe pr. s. strew AS strewian 
Stray te of Marrok: Straits of 

Morocco, Gibraltar 
strecche inf. stretch ; straughte 3 

pt. pi. AS streccan 
stree : straw AS streaw 
streem : stream AS stream 
streen sb. strain, progeny AS 

streon 
streght, streight a. straight AS 

str'eht 
streight ad. straight 
streit a. narrow, strict, little, close 

OF estreit 
streite pp. drawn B 4547 ; cf. 

strecche 
streite ad. tightly 



streme : stream, current ; ray, beam 

Pi 94, A 1495 AS stream 
strengis: strings, stringed instru- 
ments AS streng 
strenger : stronger 
strengthe : strength, might AS 

strengt5u f. 
strepe, streepe inf. strip; AS 

strypan 
strete: street, road AS strset f. 
streyne inf. constrain, urge OF 

estraindre 
strif: strife OF estrif 
strike sb. hank (of flax) ; cf. AS 

strican 
strike pp. struck AS strican 
strogelest 2 pr. s. strugglest orig. 

uncert. 
strokis pi. strokes, blows orig. 

uncert. 
stronde : strand, beach AS strand 
stronge a., pi. strong AS strong 
stronge ad. strongly 
stroof 3 pt. s. contested, vied; cf. 

stryve OF estriver 
strook sb. stroke AS stracian 
stroong: strong AS strong 
stroyere: destroyer OF destruieor 
struglyng: struggling 
stryve inf., imp. strive, vie ; 

stryven 1 pr. pi. ; stroof 3 pt. s. 

OF estriver 
stubbel goos: the graylag goose 
stubbes: stumps AS stub 
studie sb. study; cf. OF estudie 
studie inf., 2 pr. s. study, deliber- 
ate; studieth imp. 
sturdely: sturdily, boldly OF 

estourdi *'sturdy" 
sturdiness : sternness 
sturdy: stern, harsh 
stuwe sb. fish pond in which fish 

were kept to ensure a supply of 

food ; cf. OLG stouwe 
style sb. mode of writing E 18 

OF style 
style sb. stile, used to cross a 

barrier F 106 AS stigel 
stylle a. still AS stille 
Stymphalides : a Greek maiden 
stynge inf. sting, pierce; styngith 

3 pr. s. ; stongen pp. AS stingan 
stynte inf., 1 pr. s., 3 pr. s. subj. 



STYRTE— 



693 



— SWEETE 



stop ; styntyn 3 pt. pi. ; styntynge 
p. ; cf. stente AS styntan 

styrte 3 pt. s. jumped ; cf. sterte 

styth sb. anvil AS stit5 

styward : steward AS stiweard 

stywes: brothels OF estuve 

subgetz: subjects OF souzgiet 

subjeccioun: obedience, lover's ser- 
vice OF subjection 

submytted pp. agreed Lat sub- 
mittere 

substaunce: income, property OF 
substance 

subtil, subtill a. subtle, intricate 
OF sobtil 

subtilitee : craft 

subtilly: cleverly, slyly 

subtyl : finely woven 

subtylytee sb. cunning 

suburbes: suburbs OF suburbe 

succede inf. succeed Lat suc- 
cedere 

successiouns : successions OF suc- 
cession 

successour: successor OF succes- 
sour 

suete : sweet AS swete 

suetnesse: sweetness AS swetness 

suffice inf. suffice, be capable of 
OF soufire, pr, p. soufisant 

suffisance, suffisaunce : competence, 
wealth 

suffisant, suffisaunt: sufficient 

suffisantly : sufficiently 

suffise inf. suffice ; imp. be con- 
tent ; cf. suffyse 

suffrable : able to sufifer, patient 
OF soufrable 

sufTraunce: patience OF suf ranee 

suffraunt a. patient Du 1009 

sufTren inf. allow, suffer OF 
sufrir 

sufFysaunce : independence 

suffyse inf. suffice OF soufire 

suggestiour : charge of crime OF 
suggestion 

sugre: sugar OF sucre 

sum : some AS. 

sumdel : some part 

sumtyme : once, formerly 

sundery: sundry AS syndrig 

sunne : sun AS sunne f. 

sunnys: sun's 

superfluitee : excess OF superfluite 



supersticious : superstitious OF 
superstitieux 

supplicacioun : petition OF suppli- 
cation 

surcote: outer coat OF. 

surement : security 

suretee : feeling of security OF 
seiirte 

surgerye: surgery OF surgerie 

surmountide of pp. surpassed in 
OF surmonter 

surplys : surplice OF surpliz 

Surrien : Syrian 

Surrye : Syria 

sursanure : a wound festering in- 
ward, though outwardly healed 
OF sorsaneiire 

surte: security OF seurte 

surveiaunce: surveillance OF. 

Susanne: Susanna, accused of wan- 
ton conduct by two elders of the 
Jews in Babylon, was saved by 
Daniel's cross-examination of her 
traducers 

suspecious: suspicious OF suspi- 
cieus 

suspect sb. suspicion OF suspect 

suspect a. suspected, suspicious, 
ominous 

susteene inf. sustain, maintain ; 
sustened pp. OF sustenir 

suster, sustir: sister; sustren pi. 
cf. Icel systir 

sute: suite, single pattern OF 
siute 

suyte: material OF suite 

swal 3 pt. s. swelled ; cf, swelle 

swalwe sb. swallow AS swealwe 
Pf 353 

swap imp. swipe, sweep, cut ; cf. 
swappe 

swappe inf. strike off; swapte 3 
pt. s. fell ; swap imp. orig. 
uncert. 

swapte 3 pt. s. fell suddenly ; cf. 
swappe 

swatte 3 pt. s. sweated ; cf. sweetc 

swche : such ; swche seven as in 
the welkene sterris bee] the seven 
stars (planets) which are in the 
sky AS swylc 

sweche : such 

sweete inf. sweat; swatte 3 pt. s. 
AS swaetan 



SWEIGH— 



694 



— SYWYNGE 



sweigh: sway, motion; cf. Icel 

sveigja 
swelle inf. swell ; swal 3 pt. s. 

AS swellan 
swelt, swelte 3 pt. s. languished, 

perished orig. uncert. 
swelwe 3 pr. s. swallow AS swel- 

gan 
swemyn 3 pr. pi. swim AS swim- 
man 
swepe inf. sweep orig. uncert. ; 

cf. AS swapan 
swerd : sword AS sweord n. 
sweren inf. swear ; swoor 3 pt. s. ; 

swore, sworen 3 pt. pi. ; swere 

imp. ; swore, sworn pp. AS 

swerian 
sweryng sb. swearing 
swete sb. sweetheart AS swete 

Du 831 
swat, swete a. sweet 
swetely : sweetly 
swetnesse, swettenesse : sweetness 

AS swetness 
Swetonius: Suetonius, Roman his- 
torian, wrote a history of the 

Caesars 
swety: sweaty < AS swat m. 
sweven : dream, vision AS swefen 
swich: such AS swylc 
swifte pi. swift AS swift 
swithe: quickly AS swiSe 
swogh sb. swoon < AS swogan 

"sigh" 
swolwe inf. swallow AS swelgan 
swoolen pp. proud ; cf. swellen 
swoor 3 pt. s. swore; cf. sweren 
swoot sb. sweat AS swat n. 
swore 3 pt. pi., pp. swore, sworn; 

cf. sweren 
sworn pp. cf. sweren; although 

he had it sworn] though he had 

done all to* the contrary 
swough: a sough, sighing of wind 

< AS swugian 
swouned pt. s. swooned ; cf. 

swowne 
swow sb. whistling of wind ; cf. 

AS swugian 
swowe sb. swoon 
swowne sb. swoon, fainting spell ; 

a-swowne] in a swoon Du 123 

AS swogan 



swowne inf. swoon; swouned 3 

pt. s. ; swowned pp. 
swownynge : fainting 
swyn : swine AS swin 
swynk sb. labor, toil AS swincan 
swynken inf. labor, toil 
swynker sb. toiler, worker 
swythe: quickly; fayre and swythe] 

good and quick AS swiSe 
syde sb. side; other syde] other 

hand P 102 AS side 
syen 3 pt. pi. saw; cf. se 
syghte dat. sb. sight AS gesiht 
sygne : sign, mark ; wikked sygne] 

mark or trace of wickedness OF 

signe 
syk sb. sigh AS sican 
syk a. sick; for syk] for (being) 

sick AS seoc 
syke a. used as sb. sick man 

Pf 104 
sykernesse sb. safety, security 

AS sicorness 
syklatoun: a costly cloth OF cicla- 

ton 
sykys sb. sighs < AS sican 
sykyth 3 pr. s. sighs; cf. sike 
sylvyr: silver AS seolfor 
symphonye: a kind of tabor, or 

drum OF. 
symple a. modest, innocent, un- 
affected OF simple 
symplesse: simplicity 
Symplicius Gallus: a Roman 
syn: since AS sit5?San 
synde 3 pr. s. subj. send; cf. sende 
synge inf. sing ; soong, song, 

songe pt. s. songen pt. pi. 

songe pp. AS singan 
syngynge sb. singing 
synke inf. sink AS sincan 
synne : sin AS synn f. 
Synoun: Sinon, a Greek spy, who 

delivered the wooden horse to 

the Trojans (poss. case) 
syre : sire, lord 
sys cynk: six-five, a (lucky) throw 

in dice OF six, cinq 
syth: time; sythis pi. AS sitS 
sytte 3 pr. s. sits in, dwells in; 

imp. ; cf. sitten 
syttynge p. sitting 
sywynge a. proportionate, suiting 

OF sivre 



TAAK— 



695 



—TEMPLE 



taak imp. take; cf. take 

taas sb. heap, pile OF tas 

Tabard: the Tabard Inn took its 
name from the tabard on its 
sign. The tabard was a sleeve- 
less or short-sleeved coat worn 
by knights over their armor. The 
peasantry also wore a coat known 
as a tabard OF. 

table sb. table ; flat surface Dn 
779 ; table dormant] a permanent 
table, in contrast to the "bord'* 
which was laid across trestles 
A 353 ; tables pi. backgammon 
OF. 

tabourryn 3 pr. pi. beat the tabor, 
drum OF taborer 

tabyde inf. to abide 

tacche sb. defect OF tache 

tacord inf. to accord 

taffata: thin silk, taffeta OF taffe- 
tas 

taffraye inf. for to affraye, frighten 

taille sb. tally; by taille] on credit 
OF. 

take inf. take, seize, take place ; 
toke, tooke pt. s. ; tooken pt. pi. ; 
taak imp. ; take pp. ; take kepe] 
take heed, observe AS (late) 
tacan 

takel : tackle, arrows ; cf. Du takel 

taken pp. received as obligatory 
D n\ cf. take 

tale: account; telle no tale] say 
nothing AS talu f. 

talen inf. tell tales 

talighte: to alight, descend 

talle: docile, serviceable, tall orig. 
uncert. 

tamende inf. to amend 

tanoyen : to annoy 

Tantale: Tantalus, punished in 
Hades by being forced to stand 
up to the chin in water which 
receded from his lips as often 
as he attempted to quench his 
constant thirst ; above his head 
hung fruits which always eluded 
his grasp 

tapite inf. cover with tapestry 
(?) OF tapeter < tapet 

tappe sb. tap OF tape 



tappestere : barmaid AS taepestre f. 

tapycer sb. tapestry maker, up- 
holsterer OF tapissier 

tare: a weed OF tare 

tareste inf. to arrest 

targe: target, kind of shield OF. 

tarien inf. tarry, keep waiting ; 
taried 3 pt. s. ; tarie imp. AS 
tergan "provoke" 

tarraye inf. to array 

Tars: clooth of Tars] a kind of 
silk 

tart : sharp AS teart 

Tartarye: Tartary, probably refer- 
ring to all except the western 
part of what we know as Russia 

Tartre: tartar; oille of Tartre] 
cream of tartar 

taryen inf. delay 

taryynge sb. tarrying, delay 

tassaille inf. assail 

tassay inf. to assay, test 

tassemble inf. to assemble 

tassoille inf. to absolve 

taughte 3 pt. s. taught, preached; 
cf. teche 

Taur, Ta'urus: the Bull, a sign of 
the zodiac (reference to May 3) 

taverne : tavern OF. 

taverner: keeper of a tavern OF 
tavernier 

tawht pp. taught; cf. teche 

tayl: tail, stalk AS taegl 

taylage: taxing by count OF tail- 
lage 

teche inf. teach; taughte 3 pt. s. 
AS tsecean 

techyng sb. teaching A 518 

teene sorrow, grief AS teona m. 

teeres, teeris : tears AS tear 

tel, tellen inf. tell, relate ; telles, 
telleth pr. s. ; tellen 3 pr. pi. ; 
tolde pr. s., pp. ; toold pp. AS 
tellan 

telles pr. s. tell ; cf. tellen 

tembrace inf. to embrace 

temperaunce: moderation OF. 

temperede 3 pt. s. tempered 

tempest sb. storm OF tempeste 

tempest imp. trouble, distress 

temple: an inn of court; in Lon- 
don there were an Inner and 
Middle Temple, occupied chiefly 



TEMPOREL— 



696 



— THEEN 



by barristers and law students 
A 567 OF. 

temporel: temporal OF. 

tempre: temperate OF tempre 

tempte inf. make trial of OF 
tempter 

tenbrace inf. to embrace B 1891 

tendirly: tenderly OF tendre 

tendite inf. to endite 

tendre a. tender; fastidious C 
517 OF. 

tendrely: tenderly 

tendure inf. to endure 

tendyte inf. to endite, set down 
Pf 119 

tene sb. vexation, sorrow AS 
teona m. 

tene a., pi. ten Dn 420 AS tyn 

tente sb. tent; tentis pi. OF 
tente 

tentifly: attentively OF attentif 

tercelet: male falcon; tercelettes 
pi. OF. 

terciane a. tertian Lat tertianus 

tere s. tear ; teris pi. AS tear m. 

Termagaunt: one of the idols whom 
the Saracens were supposed to 
worship 

terme : set time, space of time ; 
a division of the signs of the 
zodiac in mediaeval astrology 
F 1288; terme day] appointed 
day ; in terme] in scientific ter- 
minology C 311; he had at 
command all the cases and the 
decisions which had been handed 
dov/n since the time of William 
the Conqueror A 323 OF. 

termyne inf. determine, set OF 
terminer 

tersel : male eagle ; cf. tercelet 

terslet, tercelet: male hawk; ters- 
letis pi. 

Tertulan : " Tertullian, church father, 
wrote treatises on chastity and 
modesty 

tescape inf. to escape 

teschape inf. to escape 

tespye inf. to espy 

testeres: head-pieces OF testiere 

Teuta: a queen of the Illyrians 

Tewnis: Tunis; for the toune of 
Tewnes] for all the wealth of 
Tunis 



texpounden inf. to expound 

text: quotation, proverb; text, 
printing on page; text and glose] 
both text and margin, i.e., both 
main panels and borders of the 
walls Du 333 OF texte 

textueel : able to draw nice dis- 
tinctions in explaining terms 
OF. 

teyd pp. tied AS tigan 

thabsence: the absence 

thalighte — thee aiighte 3 pt. s. 
alighted upon 

thamendys: the amends 

than : then AS ]?anne 

thank, thanks sb. his thankes] if 
he might have his way about it 
AS J?anc 

thanke 1 pr. s. AS J?ancian 

thanne: then AS. 

t"hapostel: the apostle (Paul, 1 Cor. 
vii.) 

thar ad. there AS J>ar, ]?ser 

thar pr. s. impers. needs AS 
>earf 

tharray: the array OF. 

thassay : the assay 

thassemblee : the gathering 

that rel. pron. what, that which 
AS >set 

that conj. as much as B 1036 

that conj. used expletively after 
rel. pron. or ad. conj. 

thaughe: though AS Jjeah 

thavys : the advice 

thavysyoun : the avisioun, the vision 

the pron. thee 

the inf. prosper; cf. thee 

Thebans a., pi. Polynices and 
Eteocles, sons of (Edipus, king- 
of Thebes. Polynices, the 

younger, dissatisfied with his in- 
heritance, beseiged the city with 
his friends, under his father-in- 
law, Adrastus, king of Argos. 
All, save the latter, were slain 
An 60 

Thebes: ancient city in Greece 

thee, theen inf. prosper AS J?eon 

theech, thee ich : may I prosper ! 

theef: thief AS >eof m. 

theek for thee ik: may I thrive 
(northern form) 

theen inf. thrive ; cf. thee 



THEF— 



697 



—THOGH 



thef, thefe: thief AS >eof 

thefeect, theffect: the effect, result 

thei pron. they 

thai conj. though AS l?eh 

thegle : the eagle 

Thelophus: Telephus, wounded by 
spear of Achilles, and healed by 
its rust ; a king of Mysia 

themperour: the emperor 

then conj. than AS J?anne 

thencens: the incense 

thenchauntementz : the enchant- 
ments 

thencrees sb. the increase 

thendyting: the enditing 

thenken inf. think ; thynke 1 pr. 
s. ; thought 3 pt. s. AS J?encan 

thenne: then AS Jeanne 

thennes : thence AS ]?anon 

thentente: the intent 

thenvyouse a. the envious 

Theodora : beloved of Algarsif 

theoff: thief AS >eof 

Theofraste : Theophrastus, Aureolus 
Liber de Nuptiis, a mediaeval 
Latin tract against marriage 

ther, there: there, where AS J^aer 

ther as : where 

ther : their 

theraboute : around it 

thereafter: thereafter, after that 

therbifoore, therbiforn : beforehand 

thereto: moreover, besides Du 678 

therfore : therefore 

therinne : therein 

therof: concerning that 

theron : thereupon 

theroute: out there, in the open 

therthe : the earth 

therto: thereto, to it, also, and in 
that 

therupon : immediately 

therwith : therewith, thereupon 

therwithal : thereupon 

theryn, therynne: therein, thereon 

thes : these 

theschewyng : the eschewing, avoid- 
ance 

Theseus : the great legendary hero 
of Attica. He freed the Attic 
roads from robbers; destroyed 
the Cretan minotaur with the 
aid of Ariadne, daughter of the 
Cretan king, whom he deserted 



on the voyage home; helped Her- 
cules conquer the Amazons, 
whose queen, Antiope, here called 
Hippolyta, became his queen ; he 
made Athens a city, and greatly 
improved its government 

Thesiphus: Sisyphus, punished in 
Hades by the never-ending task 
of rolling a huge stone up a hill, 
down which it would constantly 
roll again. S and C, C and T, 
T and Th were constantly inter- 
changed by scribes, hence the 
spelling 

Thessalie : Thessaly, in northern 
Greece 

thestaat: the estate, condition 

thevys poss. thief's 

thewed pp. mannered 

thewes : qualities of mind AS 
)7eawas m. 

thexcellent a. the excelling 

thider: thither AS >ider 

thiderward : thither 

thies : these 

thikke: thick, luxuriant; greves 
. . . thikke] groves abundant in 
AS l^icce 

thikke-herd : thick-haired 

thikkere : thicker 

thikkeste : thickest 

thilke : that very AS l?ylc 

thing: thing, property, good AS 
>ing n. 

thinke inf., impers. seem; thought 
3 pt. s. ; thoughte me] it seemed 
to me AS ]?encan 

thinne : thin AS J?ynne 

thirllethe 3 pr. s. pierceth ; thirled 
pp. AS Jjyrlian 

this for thus Du 710 

this, thise pi. these Pf 540 

this for this is (often this is 
should be read as this, for the 
metre) F 889 

this al and som: this is the whole 
part, the sum total 

Thisbe : beloved of Pyramus in 
Nineveh 

tho pi. those AS >a 

tho ad. then AS J?a 

tho conj. though; cf. Icel ]>d 

thoccident: the Occident, the west 

thogh : though ; cf. AS ]?eah 



THOGHT— 



698 



—TITHES 



thoght sb. thought AS >oht m. 

tholde: the old 

thombe sb. thumb ; thombe of 
gold] probably the reference is 
to the skill his thumb has gained 
in judging corn and flour, with 
a satirical reference to the prov- 
erb, **An honest miller has a 
thumb of gold" (Sk.) AS >uma 

thonder sb. thunder AS ]?unor 

thonderdynt : thunderclap 

thonderynge : thundering AS ]?un- 
rian 

thonke 1 pr. s. thank ; thonken 
pr. pi. ; thonk imp. AS ]?onc 

thonour: the honor 

thoo: yet, still, then Icel ]>d 

thorgh: through; wher thorgh] by 
means of which AS >urh 

thorient: the orient, the east 

thorisonte: the horizon OF ori- 
zonte 

thorpis: villages AS J^orp 

thorw: through AS }7urh 

thought pt. s. thought; cf. thenke 

thought 3 pt. s. impers. seemed ; 
methought] it seemed to me; cf. 
thinke 

thour, thourw: through AS ]?urh 

thousande : thousand 

thousent: thousand AS J?usend 

thow pron. thou 

thbw conj. though Icel Jjo AS 
]?eah 

thral, thralle sb. slave, vassal AS 
Jjrael 

thral a. subject, debased 

thraste 3 pt. pi. pushed ; cf. threste 

thre: three AS Jjri, }?reo f. 

thre formes: Diana is called Luna 
in heaven ; on earth, Diana and 
Lucina ; and in hell, Proserpina 

thred, thread: cord, thread AS 
]?raed m. 

thredbare a. threadbare 

thredde: third AS >ridda 

thresshe inf. thresh AS Jjerscan 

thresshfold: threshold AS ]?ersc- 
wald 

threste inf. thrust, force his way; 
thraste 3 pt. pi. ; cf. Icel J^rysta 

thretyng : threatening AS Jjreatian 

thridde: third AS Jjridda 



thridde hevenes lord : Mars, the 

third sphere 
thries : thrice 
thrifty : wise, excellent (in vague 

sense) Icel. 
thrilled pp. pierced ; cf. thirllethe 
thritty: thirty AS >rittig 
throgh: through AS J?urh 
throng 3 pt. s. pressed AS 

}?ringan 
throope: thorp, village AS >orp 
thropes: villages 
throte: throat; throtys pi. AS 

]?rote f. 
throwe sb. short period of time, 

moment AS l?rag f. 
throwe inf. throw ; throweth 3 pr. 

s. AS ]brawan 
thrustel: thrush AS >rostle 
thrustelcok: male thrush 
thryes: thrice AS Jjriwa + s ad. 

suff. 
thryve inf. prosper Icel J^rifask 
thurgh prep. through, by means 

of AS >urh 
thurghfare : thoroughfare 
thurgh-girt pp. pierced through 
thurghout: throughout 
thurst sb. thirst AS >urst 
thursted hym 3 pt. s. impers. he 

thirsted 
thurstil: thrush AS >rostle 
thymage : the image 
Thymalao: really Timoleon, son of 

Zenobia 
Thymothee: Timothy, St. Paul's 

friend and disciple 
Thymothee: Timotheus, a general 

of Antiochus 
thyn : thine 

thynke 1 pr. s. think; cf. thenken 
thynne a. thin AS J?inne 
Tiburce : Valerian's brother 
tidyng: happening, news AS tidan 
tidyves: tidy, a small bird (wren 

or titmouse) F 648 
tikled pt. s. tickled 
til prep, to (before vowel) AS til 
til conj. until, till; til now late] 

until it became very late 
tiptoon pi. tiptoes AS ta 
tirannye: tyranny OF tirannie 
tiraunt: tyrant OF. 
tithes pi. the tenth part of the 



TITLELEES— 



699 



— TOWAILLE 



produce or income of the people 

was payable for the support of 

the church and clergy, and was 

generally collected by the priest. 

Failure to pay could be punished 

by the lesser excommunication 

AS teotSa 
titlelees: usurping 
Titus: Livius, Roman historian, 

tells the story of Lucrece 
to ad. too AS to 
to prep, to, for, as; hym to feete] 

at his feet ; to creature] as a liv- 
ing being 
to: till C M 239 
tobreste 3 pr. pi. break in pieces ; 

tobrosten pp. AS toberstan 
tobroke, tobroken: pp. broken in 

pieces AS tobrecan 
tobrosten pp. broken in pieces; 

cf. tobreste 
to fore: before 
toforn prep, before 
toft sb. tuft OF touffe 
togedere, togedres, togidre, togi- 

dres: together AS togsedre 
to-go pp. fled AS to-gan 
tohewen 3 pr. pi. hew to pieces; 

tohewe pp. AS toheawan 
tok, toke pt. s. took; cf. take; 

it me tok] I took it Du 48 
tokenynge sb. sign AS tacnian 
tolde pt. s., pp. told; tolde of] 

cared for, held in regard; cf. 

tellen 
tollen inf. take toll; tollen thryes] 

take thrice the proper toll AS 

toll 
Tolletanes: Toledo, in Spain, was 

selected by order of Alphonso X 

of Spain, as the place for which 

astronomical tables should be 

calculated 
tombe: tomb OF tombe 
tombesteres: female dancers < 

OF tombeor 
tomorn: this morning 
to-morwe : tomorrow 
tonge sb. tongue AS tunge 
tonged pp. tongued 
tonne: tun, barrel of wine, ale AS 

tunne 



tonne-greet: as great as a tun or 

barrel 
too sb. toe ; toon pi. AS ta 
too a. two AS twa An 153 
too ad. to Pf 150 
took, tooke pt. s. took, betook ; 

tooke up] attracted, held; cf. 

take 
toold pp. told ; cf. tellen 
toon pi. toes ; cf. too 
top sb. crown AS top 
to-race 3 pr. pi. tear in pieces 

OF raser 
torche: torch OF. 
torente 3 pt. s. tore asunder ; 

torent pp. AS torendan 
tormentise : manner of torment 

OF. 
tormentour: tormenter OF. 
tormentrie : torment OF tormen- 

terie 
tormentynge: torture 
torn sb. turn OF torn 
tortuous: indirect, oblique, not ris- 
ing directly Lat tortuosus 
toshrede 3 pr. pi. cut into shreds 

AS screadian 
toslyver'cd : split into pieces 
totar pt. s. tore in pieces; cf. 

totere 
totelere, totulour sb. a. tattler, 

tattling orig. uncert. 
to-tere inf. tear to pieces (Christ's 

body, by swearing by the various 

members, as wounds, nails, eyes, 

bones, etc.) C 474; totar 3 pt. 

s. ; totore pp. AS toteran 
tothyr: the tothyr = that other 
to-tore pp. torn apart; cf. totere 
touche 1 pr. s. mention ; touchede 

pt. s. OF toucher 
toumbe : tomb OF toumbe 
toun, toune : town AS tun m. 
tour, toure: tower OF A 1030 
touret: turret OF tourete 
tourettes: rings A 2152 
tourment 3 pr. s. subj. torment 

OF torment 
tourne inf. turn OF torner 
tourneyment: tournament OF 

torneiement 
toverbyde : to survive 
towaille: towel OF touaille 



TOWARDES— 



700 



—TROUBLE 



towardes : towards AS tdweard 
towchid: concerned OF touchier 
towgh : troublesome ; make it 

towgh] be captious AS toh 
towne : town AS tun m. 
towonde 3 pt. s. broke in two 

AS wundian 
to-yeere: this year 
Tface : Thrace, in classic myth, the 

region north of Greece ; later, 

what is now Eastern Rumelia 
trace inf. follow OF trader 
trad pt. s. trod; cf. trade 
tragedie : tragedy, tragic history, 

story OF. 
traisoun : treason OF traison 
traitour: traitor OF. 
traitourye: deceit OF traitor 
Tramyssene : Tremezen, Moorish 

kingdom in Africa 
transmutacioun : transmutation, 

change OF transmutation 
trappe sb. trap AS treppe 
trappures: trappings for horses 

orig. uncert. 
tras: procession OF trace 
traunce: trance OF transe 
travaille sb. struggle, labor, pains 

OF. 
travaillynge p. travailing, in tra- 
vail 
trays: traces OF trais 
trayteresse : traitress, deceiver 

traitresse 
traytore: traitor OF traitor 
tre : tree AS treow n. 
trecherye: treachery OF trecherie 
trede 1 pr. pi. tread ; trad pt. s. ; 

troden pp. AS tredan 
tredefowel : cock 
tredyng : treading 
tree: wood; cf. tre 
tregetouresi jugglers OF tresge- 

teor 
trench: alley OF trenche 
tresons: treasons OF traison 
tresoor, tresore sb. treasure OF 

tresor 
tresorere: treasurer OF tresorier 
tresoun : treason, betrayal OF 

traison 
trespace sb. trespass, infidelity 

OF trespas 



trespace inf. do wrong to, offend 
OF trespasser 

trespas sb. wrong, fault OF. 

tresse: tress; treses, tressis pi. OF 
trece, tresse 

tretable : affable, docile, receptive 
OF traitable 

trete inf. narrate, discuss OF 
traiter 

tretee : negotiation, business, treaty 
OF traitie 

tretys sb. treaty, treatise AF 
tretiz 

tretys a. well-formed OF tretis 

trewe : true AS treowe 

trewely, trewly : truly 

trewer : truer 

treweste : truest 

treye: trois, three OF trei 

triacle : sovereign medicine, heal- 
ing OF. 

tribulacioun : tribulation OF. 

tributarye: tributary, subject Lat 
tributarius 

trice inf. pull away ; cf. Sw trissa 

trikled 3 pt. pi. trickled orig. un- 
cert. 

trille inf. turn; cf. Sw trilla 

trippe inf. dance, move lightly; 
cf. Sw trippa 

triste inf. 1 pr. s. trust; cf. Icel 
traust 

Tristram: Tristram, lover of Isolt, 
queen of Cornwall 

triumphe: triumph, triumphal pro- 
cession Lat triumphus 

troden pp. stepped; cf. trede 

trompe : trumpet, trumpeter ; 

trompis poss. OF. 

tronchoun: broken staff of a spear 
OF tronchon 

trone: throne OF. 

Trophee: an error by Chaucer, who 
mistook the word "trophaea" 
(pillars) in the apocryphal Epis- 
tola Alexandri for the authority 
upon whose word Hercules' pil- 
lars in India and at Gades are 
believed to exist (Kittredge) 

troste inf. trust; cf. truste; cf. 
Icel treysta 

trotte imp. trot OF troter 

trouble a. muddled, stupid OF 
trouble 



TROUTHE— 



701 



— UNBOKELEN 



trouthe: truth Du 998 AS treowtS 
f. 

trowe inf. believe, trust; trow pr. 
s. ; trowen pr. pi.; trowed pt. pi., 
pp. AS truwian 

trowthe: truth AS treowtS f. 

trowyn inf. believe (in) ; cf. trowe 

Troye: the city of Troy, in Asia 
Minor, the scene of the ten years' 
fighting between the Greeks and 
Trojans for the possession of 
Helen, stolen from her husband 
Menelaus by Paris, son of King 
Priam of Troy 

Troylus: Troilus, brother of Hector 
and Paris, lover of and deserted 
by Cressida 

trussed pp. packed OF trousse 

truste pr. s., pi., imp. trust; cf. 
Icel treysta 

truste 1 pr. pi. trust A 501 

trwe : true AS treowe 

trye a. choice OF trie 

tryne: triune OF trine 

Tuballe: Jubal, "father of all such 
as handle the harp and pipe," is 
here confused with his half- 
brother, Tubal-Cain, "the forger 
of every cutting instrument of 
brass and iron"; cf. Gen, iv. 21, 
22. The discovery of music by 
hearing the sounds of the anvil 
is sometimes attributed to Py- 
thagoras, q. V. 

tukked pp. with his long coat 
tucked up in his girdle LGer 
tukken 

Tullius Hostillius : Roman general, 
a shepherd in youth 

Tullyus: Marcus Tullius Cicero, 
Roman orator and patriot, model 
of rhetoric in the Middle Ages, 
author of "Somnium Scipionis" 

tunge: tongue AS tunge f. 

tunne: tun (met.) quality AS 
tunne 

Turkeys a. Turkish 

Turkye : Turkey 

turneiynge: tourneying OF tor- 
neier 

turnen inf. circle, turn; turne 
imp. ; turned pp. OF torner 

Turnus : a Latin king, overthown 
by ^Eneas 



turtil: turtle-dove AS turtle 

turwis : sods, turf AS turf 

twelf: twelve AS. 

twelf-monthe sb, a twelve-month 

twenty: score; a twenty winter] 
twenty winters AS twentig 

twey, tweye: two AS twa, f. 
twegen 

tweyfoold : folded over, double 

tweyn, tweyne : twain, two AS 
twegen f. 

twies: twice AS twiwa 

twiste sb. twist, twig AS twist 

twiste inf., pt. s. wring, torment 

twyes : twice 

twyned pp. twisted < AS twin 

twynkled 3 pt. s. twinkled AS 
twinclian 

twynklyng, twynkelyng: twinkling 

twynne inf., pr. pi. separate, de- 
part ; ci. AS getwinne "two and 
two" 

tyde: tide, time AS tid f. 

tyden ini betide 

tydif: small bird; cf. tidyves 

Tydius: one of the Seven against 
Thebes 

tygre: tiger OF tigre 

tykelnesse: danger, ticklish position 

tyl: till 

tyles pi. tiles AS tigele 

tyme : time, season ; tymys pi. ; that 
tyme] at that time Du 794, 796 
AS tima 

tyne : barrel OF tine 

typet sb. hood, used as a port- 
manteau by the friars who some- 
times degenerated into peddlars 
AS taeppet 

Tyro Appollonius: Apollonius of 
Tyre, hero of a classic romance, 
used in Shakespeare's Pericles 

Tysbe : beloved by Pyramus ; cf. 
Thisbe 

Tytus Lyvyus: Titus Livius, gen- 
erally called Livy, a Roman his- 
torian 

u 

unable: incapable OF able 
unavysed: heedless OF avise 
unbokelen inf. unbuckle, open ; 
unbokeled pp. OF boucler 



UNBOUNDEN— 



702 



— UPYOLDEN 



unbounden pp. unbound, unmar- 
ried AS bindan 

unbrent pp. unburnt AS bernan 

unbuxumnesse : unsubmissiveness 
AS buhsum 

unbynde inf. unbind AS bindan 

uncerteyn: uncertain OF certain 

uncommytted : not assigned, gra- 
tuitous 

unconstreyned pp. unconstrained 
OF constreindre 

uncoupylynge : uncoupling, releas- 
ing, letting loose OF couplen 

uncowple : uncouple, spring 

under-betten pp. kindled under AS 
betan 

undergrowe pp. under normal size 
AS growan 

undermeles: afternoons AS un- 
dernmsel 

undernethe: beneath, under + AS 
beneoSan 

undernoom pt. s. received AS 
underniman 

underpighte pt. s. stuffed under 
< ME underpicchen 

understonde inf., imp., pp. under- 
stand AS understandan 

understondynge sb. understanding, 
mind 

undertake inf. affirm 

undigne: unworthy OF digne 

undo inf. reveal AS undon 

undren: undern, mid-forenoon, 9 
A. M., or the time up to noon 
AS undern 

undyr: under 

unfeestlich : unfestive 

unfeyned a. unfeigned 

ungrobbed : undelved 

unheele: sickness, misfortune AS 
unhsllu f. 

unknowe pp.- unknown 

unkonnynge : ignorant 

unkorven : unpruned 

unkouth: uncouth AS uncutS 

unkynde : unnatural AS uncynde 

unkyndely : unnaturally 

unkyndenes : unkindness AS un- 
cynde 

unlikly: unlikely 

unlyk: unlike E 156 

unmeete: unfit AS unmsete 



unneth, unnethe: scarcely AS 

unease 
unnethes: scarcely 
unreprovable : not blameworthy 
unresonable : unreasonable 
unreste: restlessness 
unright: ill, harm AS unriht 
unsad: fickle AS unssed 
unsely: deceitful AS unsaelig 
unset : unappointed 
unsoghte a. unsought, not sought 

after 
unsowe pp. unsown 
unto: until; in addition to 
untrewe : untrue 

untrouthe : deceit AS untreow> f. 
untrussede: in disordered array 
unwar: unexpectedly AS unwaer 
unweelde, unweeldy : unwieldy, 

weak 
unwemmed: unspotted AS un- 

wemmed < wam **spot" 
unwist : unknown 
unwitte: folly AS with 
unwityng: without (her) knowl- 
edge F 936 
unwityngly : unawares 
unyolden: without having yielded 
up prep, upon, up 
up-so-down: upside down 
upbreyde 3 pt. s. upbraid AS up 

+ bregdan "draw'* 
upcaste pt. s. cast up 
uphaf 3 pt. s. upHfted AS up -f 

hof < hebban 
upon: against Du 1022; upon pain 

of A 1344 
upon-land: in the country 
uppe: up, left open 
upplyght pp. plucked up ME up 

+ plicchen 
upright a. flat; upright, standing 

or sitting up Du 175 AS up- 

riht 
uprist 3 pr. s. upriseth 
upriste sb. uprising AS uprist 
upronne pp. ascended 
upsprynge inf. rise; upsprong pt. 

s. 
upsprong 3 pt. s. sprang up; cf. 

upsprynge 
upsterte 3 pt. s. started up 
upyaf 3 pt. s. gave up 
upyolden pp. yielded up 



URBAN— 



703 



— VICAIRE 



Urban: Pope at Rome, A. D. 222 

usage: custom OF. 

usance: custom OF. 

used pt. pL, pp. was accustomed 

to ; cf. usen 
usen inf. accustom, use, enjoy ; 

usyth 3 pr. s. ; usyn 3 pr. pi. ; 

usedest 2 pt. s. ; used pt. pi., pp. 

OF user 
us selven : ourselves 
usshdfs: ushers OF uissier 
usure: usury OF. 
usurpe 1 pr. s. usurp, claim falsely 

OF usurper 
usyn 3 pr. pi. are accustomed ; cf. 

usen 
usyth 3 pr. s. is accustomed ; cf. 



vacacioun: leisure OF vacation 
vache: beast, cow OF. 
valaunse : curtains of a bed ; Venus 
valaunse] the borders of Taurus, 
the zodiacal sign called Venus* 
mansion; Mercury was thus near 
the end of Aries, which adjoins 
Taurus in the zodiac C M 145. 
Venus* bed is mentioned earlier, 
line 1Z 
valence: cloth of Valence, near 
Lyon (?), or of Valenciennes lace 
. (Belgium) Pf 272 
Valentynys: Valentine's (Feb. 22) 
Valeria: constant widow of Servius 
Valerian: a Roman, converted by 

Cecilia 
Valerie: "Epistola Valerii ad Rufi- 
num de non ducenda uxore," a 
mediaeval Latin tract against 
marriage 
Valerius: V. Maximus, a Roman 

author B 3910 
Valerye: cf. Valerie 
valey : valley, vale OF valee 
vanysshe inf. vanish OF vanir 
vanysshynge sb. disappearance 
vanytee: vanity OF vanite 
variacioun : variation OF variation 
varyaunce: variation OF variance 
varyinge: variable, changeable, in- 
constant OF varier 
vassellage: prowess OF. 



vavasour sb. principal tenant of 
a great lord, therefore beneath a 
baron, who held land from the 
king. "The term applied to most 
middling land holder's," (Tyr- 
whitt) OF vavassor 
veluettes: velvets OF veluet 
venerie sb. hunting OF venerie 
Venerien: belonging to Venus 
venquysseth 3 pr. s. vanquishes; 

venquysshed pp. OF vainquir 
ventusynge sb. cupping (surgical 

operation) OF ventouser 
Venus poss. Pf. 351 
venym: venom, poison, pus OF 

venim 
Venyse: Venice 

venysoun: venison OF veneison 
verdit: verdict OF veirdit 
vermyne: vermin OF vermine 
vernycle: a vernicle, a copy in 
miniature of the picture of Christ 
printed in blood upon the hand- 
kerchief or towel given by St. 
Veronica to Christ (on the way 
to Calvary) to wipe away the 
blood which flowed from the 
crown - of thorns 
verraily: verily 
verray: very, true, truly OF 

verai 
verrayment : verily 
verrely: verily, truly 
vers pi. verses OF vers AS fers 
vertu : power, quickening force, 
virtue, ability; vertu expulsif] 
the power to expel what is harm- 
ful OF. 
vertuous a. able, efficient, virtuous 

OF vertuos 
vestimentz: vestments, garments 

OF vestement 
Vesulus: Monte Viso 
veyl sb. veil OF veile 
veyn a. foolish OF vain 
veyne sb. vein OF veine 
veyne-blood sb. blood-letting 
veze sb. blast < (?) AS fesian 

"drive'* 
Via Apia: the Appian Way, a fa- 
mous street running south from 
Rome 
viage : voyage, expedition OF. 
vicaire, vicarye : vicar, deputy OF. 



VICE— 



704 



— WANYE 



vice: defect OF. 

vicius: vicious OF vicious 

victorie: victory OF victorie 

vigilies sb. pi. meeting in the 
church yards upon festival evens. 
The women came in state, and 
those of the better sort had their 
mantles carried before them, 
partly for show, partly for com- 
fort while seated at table OF. 

vileyns a. evil, wicked 

vileynye: abuse, ill manners, vulgar 
speech, disgrace OF vileinie 

Vincent: Bishop of Beauvais, tutor 
of Louis IX, wrote "Speculum 
Historiale" 

vinolent: filled with wine OF 
vinolentus 

virelayes: virelais, ballads with a 
return of rime OF virelai 

Virginia: daughter of Virginius 

Virginius: Roman **knight" 

virginitee: chastity OF virginite 

visitaciouns : visits OF visitation 

visite inf. visit OF. 

vitaile, vitaille sb. victuals, food 
OF. 

vitailled pp. provisioned 

vitremyte: woman's cap (?) 

Vitulo: Vitello, a Polish mathe- 
matician, c. 1254 

voide: empty, solitary OF. 

voirdit: verdict OF. 

vois: voice OF vois 

volage a. giddy OF. 

vomyt: vomit OF. 

vouchensauf : vouchsafe (verbal 
endings attached to vouchen) 
D 52 OF vochier 

vouchesauf 2 pr. pi. grant, agree, 
vouchsafe (verbal endings at- 
tached to vouchen) ; voucheth- 
sauf imp. 

vowe : vow OF vou 

voyde a. free, void OF voide 

voyden inf. void, expel, depart ; 
voyde imp. 

voys: voice OF vois 

Vulcanus: Vulcan, god of fire, and 
blacksmith of the gods, was the 
husband of Venus 

vyne: vine OF vigne 

vyrelayes: virelais, songs after a 



French pattern, with return of 
rime OF virelais 
vyse : vice OF vice 

w 

waast: waist; cf. AS waestm 

"growth" 
wade inf. go, descend AS wadan 
wafereres: candy sellers OF 

waufre 
wailen inf. wail, lament ; waille 

pr. s. ; waillynge p. ; cf. Icel 

vaela 
waiten inf. wait, expect, think 

OF waitier 
wake inf. remain awake, keep 

wake ; wook 3 pt. s. ; wakyd pp. 

AS wacian 
wakepleyes : funeral games 
wakyd pp. kept wake, caroused ; 

cf. wake 
wakynge : time of being awake 
wakyr: watchful AS wacor 
wal: wall AS weall 
Walakye : Wallachia, a principality, 

now a part of Rumania 
walet: wallet orig. uncert. 
walked for a-walking: AS wealcan 
walle : wall ; wallys pi. 
wallid pp. walled 
walwe 1 pr. s. wallow ; walweth 

3 pr. s. ; walv/ed pp. AS weal- 

wian 
Walys: Wales 
wan: pale AS wann 
wandrynge sb. traveHng AS 

wandrian 
wang-tooth: cheek-tooth, molar AS 

wangtoS 
wanhope sb. despair AS wan + 

hopa 
wanne pt. s. won ; cf. wynne 
wante inf. want, lack, be absent 

Icel vanta 
wantowne a. wanton, wild AS 

wan "1- togen 
wantownesse : wantonness, extrava- 
gant mannerism 
wantrust: suspicion 
wantynge of blyndnesse: caecitate 

carens, by principle of opposites,. 

an etymology of Cecilia 
wanye inf. wane AS wanian 



WAR- 



705 



— WENEN 



war a. wary, cautious, aware AS 
w3er 

war 3 pr. s., 2 imp. refl. look out, 
make way AS warian 

warde: keeping, custody AS weard 

wardecors: body guard OF war- 
decors 

wardeyns: guardians OF wardein 

Ware: town in Hertfordshire 

ware sb. goods, wares AS waru 

ware a. aware AS wser 

ware imp. refl. beware AS warian 

warente : protect OF warantir 

warice: protect, cure OF warir 

warie 1 pr. s. curse AS wergian 

warished pp. cured 

warme: warm AS wearm 

warne inf. refuse, warn ; warnede 
pp. AS warnian 

warreyist 2 pr. s. makest war 
upon OF werreier 

waspes poss. pi. wasps' AS waeps 

wasshe pp. washed AS waescan 

wast sb. waste OF. 

wastel-breed sb. bread made from 
the finest flour OF wastel 
**cake" 

water: by water he sente hem 
hoom] he made them walk the 
plank, to swim home AS wseter 

waterlees a. out of water 

waterying : watering place ; this 
was at the second milestone on 
the road to the shrine of St. 
Thomas a Becket 

Watte: Wat or Walter 

watyr: water 

wawe: wave orig. uncert. 

waxe inf. grow ; wax 3 pt. s. ; 
waxen pp. ; cf. wexen AS 
weaxan 

wayk: weak Icel veikr 

wayle: wail; cf. Icel vaela 

waylyng sb. wailing 

waymentynge : weeping, lamenta- 
tion OF waimenter 

wayten inf. watch, observe, care 
for; wayted pt. OF waitier 

webbe sb. weaver AS webba 

wedde sb. to wedde] as a pledge 
AS wedd 

wedden inf. wed; weddede 3 pt. s. 
AS weddian 

weddynge: wedding AS weddung 



wede sb. clothing AS weod 

weder: weather AS weder 

wedercok : weather-cock 

wedewehed : widowhood 

wedewys pi. widows 

wedlok: wedlock AS wedlac 

wedres: storms 

weede: clothing 

weel ad. well AS wel 

weelde, weelded 3 pt. s. control, 
manage ; cf. welde 

weex 3 pt. s. waxed ; cf. wexe 

weilawey interj. alas ! 

weked : wicked AS wican "yield" 

wel a. fortunate, contented ; wel 
was hym] he rejoiced 

wel ad. more ; wel ofter] more 
often 

welawaye interj. alas ! 

wel-bigoon: pleased, fortunate 

welde: weld, a plant used in dye- 
ing AS woald 

welde inf. wield, keep control of; 
weelde, weelded, welte 3 pt. s. 
AS wieldan 

wele sb. weal, welfare, good for- 
tune AS wela 

wele ad. well 

wele 1 pr. s. will; cf. wille 

welfarynge: thriving, prosperous 

welful: beneficent 

welk 1 pt. s. walked 

welked pp. dried up Du welken 

welkene, welkne : tl.e heavens, the 
sky AS wolcen 

welle sb. well, spring, source ; 
welle-stremes well-springs AS 
wel la 

welnyeghe : welnigh 

welte 3 pt. s. wielded ; cf. welde 

wem : harm, blemish AS wam 

wemen pi. women AS wifman 

wemmelees : stainless 

wenche: girl, wanton AS wancol 
"unstable" 

wend pp. supposed; cf. wenen 

wende 1 pt. s. weened, supposed ; 
cf. wenen 

wenden inf. travel ; wende pr. ; 
went pt., pp. AS wendan 

wenen inf., 3 pr. pi. ween, sup- 
pose, imagine ; wenestow, wenyst 
2 pr. s. ; wende pt. s. ; wenden 



WENESTOW— 



706 



— WHETTE 



pt. pi. ; wene 3 pr. s. subj. ; wend 

pp. AS wenan 
wenestow 2 pr. s. weenest thou; 

cf. wenen 
wengis: pi. wings Icel vsengr 
went sb. path Du 398 AS wend 
wente 3 pt. pi. went; cf. wenden 
wenyst 2 pr. s. suppose, imagine; 

cf. wenen 
weopeth 3 pr. s. weeps; cf. wepe 

An 169 
wepe inf. weep; weopeth, wepyth 

pr. s. ; weep 3 pt. s. AS wepan 
wepene, wepne: weapon AS waepen 
wepynge sb. weeping 
wepyth 3 pr. s. weeps; cf. wepe 
werche, wirche inf. work, perform ; 

worcheth 3 pr. s. ; wroghte pt. s. ; 

wroght, wrought pp. AS wyrcean 
were sb. weir, fish-trap AS wer 
were sb. doubt; cf. OLG were 

"disorder" 
were inf. wear ; werestow 2 pr. s. ; 

wered 3 pt. s. AS werian 
were inf. defend A 2550 AS 

werian 
were pr. s. subj. must have been 
werestow 2 pr. s. do you wear; 

cf. were 
werk sb. work; werkes pi. deeds, 

works, paintings AS wore 
werken inf. work, act; werketh 

imp. pi. dispose of AS wircan 
werkyng: behavior, action, works 
werm: worm AS wyrm 
werm foul: worm-eating birds 
werne inf. refuse permission to 

AS warnian 
werne 3 pt. pi. were 
werre sb. war, service AS werre 
werre ad. worse AS wiers 
werreyen inf. war against, make 

war; werreyed pp. OF werreier 
wers,' werse : worse AS wyrsa 
werte sb. wart AS wearte 
wery: weary AS werig 
wessh, wesshe 3 pt. s. washed; 

cf. wasshe 
weste sb. west; by weste] west- 
ward AS west 
weste inf. go westward Pf 266 
weste ad. west 



Westlumbardye : West Lombardy 

wete a. wet AS waeta 

wete inf. wit, know AS waetan 

wette 3 pt. s. wet 

wex sb. wax AS weax 

wexe inf. grow, become; weex, 
wex, wexe pt. s. ; wexen pt. pi. ; 
wexynge p. AS weaxan 

wexynge p. waxing, growing; cf. 
wexe 

wey: way, path; do wey] lay aside; 
wey ner went] highroad nor foot- 
path; by al weyes] in all things 
AS weg 

wey to blynde: caecis via, an ety- 
mology of Cecilia 

weyen inf. weigh ; weyest, weyeth 
pr. s. ; weyeden pt. pi. AS wegan 

weyke: weak; cf. Icel veikr 

weylaway interj. alas ! ; so wey- 
lawey] alas ! 

weyve inf. turn aside, abandon, 
give up AF weyver 

wham : whom 

whan: when AS hwanne 

what: whatever AS hwaet 

what! interj. what! how I why! 

wheel : wheel (of Fortune) A 925 ; 
cf. whele AS hweol 

wheither: whether, which of two 
AS hwaetSer 

whele s. wheel; the everturning 
wheel was the symbol of the 
goddess Fortune Du 643 AS 
hweol 

whelkes pi. pimples AS hwylca 

whelpe: whelp, puppy AS hwelp 

whenne, whennes: vrhence AS 
hwanne 

wher: whether 

wheras: where that, where 

wherfore: why; for any cause C 
216 

wherinne ad. in which 

wher-so : wheresoever, whitherso- 
ever 

wher-thorgh: by means of which 

wherto : why, for what purpose 
Du 669 

wherwith: by means of which 

whete: wheat AS hwaete m. 

whether, whethir: whether 

whette : whet, sharpened AS 
hwettan 



WHICH— 



707 



— WITHDRAWE 



which for who Du 96 AS hwilc 

which: what, what sort of, such; 
which a] how great a, what a 

whider: whither AS hwider 

while sb. AS hwil f. 

while: as long as 

whiles: while; the whiles] while 
Du 151 

whilhom, whilom : upon a time, 
once AS hwilum 

whippe : whip ; whippis pi. orig. 
uncert. 

whippeltre: cornel-tree, or dogwood 

whirle inf. whirl ; cf. Icel hvirfla 

whistelynge sb. a whistling sound 
AS hwistlung 

whistlynge p. whistling 

whit a. white AS hwit 

White: a translation of the name 
Blaunche. Blanche was the wife 
of John of Gaunt, Earl of Lan- 
caster. She died Sept. 12, 1369, 
at the age of 29. John of Gaunt 
is the "man in black,'* who 
mourns for her Du 947 

whitnesse: whiteness 

whoe, whoo: who; whoo is] who 
is it that Du 181 AS hwa 

whos: whose Pf 419 

whyne inf. whinny AS hwinan 

whyte lylye: the white lily was the 
token of the perpetual virginity 
of Mary B 1651 

wight sb. person, man AS wiht f. 

v/ight a. active; cf. Icel vigr 

wighte sb. weight AS wiht 

wiht : person ; cf . wight 

wikke a. wicked, unhappy, hard, 
grievous; cf. AS wican 

wikked a. wicked, evil; wikked 
nest] Oliver le Mauny (Malni) 
of Brittany, said to have be- 
trayed, with du Guesclin, Pedro 
of Spain 

wikkedly : evilly 

wikkednesse: evil 

wil sb. will, desire AS willa 

wil 3 pr. s. wills, desires; cf. wille 

wilde: wild; wilde fyr] Greek fire, 
difficult to extinguish AS wilde 

wildely : wildly 

wile: skill AS wil f. 

wilful ad. wilfully 

wilfulhed : presumption 



wilfulnesse : wilfulness 

wilkyn : diminutive of will 

will, wille sb. desire, willingness; 
good will] good will, free con- 
sent Du 116 AS will 

wille inf. desire, wish, will; wele 
1 pr. s. ; wil 3 pr. s. ; wilte 2 pr. 
s. ; woldest, wolt 2 pr. s. ; wole 
3 pr. s. ; wold, wolde pt. s., pi., 
subj. ; wolden pt. pi. ; wolde pp. 
AS willian 

willynge sb. will, desire 

wilnen inf. desire; wilnest 2 pr. 
s. ; wilned pt. s. ; cf. wille sb. 
AS wilnian 

wilte 2 pr. s. wilt; cf. wille 

wimpul: wimple, the headdress of 
a nun, covering head and neck 
AS wimpel 

wintres poss. winter's AS winter 

wirche inf. work, assist AS 
wyrcean 

wirkyng sb. actions 

wis a. wise AS wis 

wis ad. certain; as wis] as certain 
(it is) F 1470 

wis 1 pr. s. know (used in ex- 
pression **I wis, ywis") iwis, 
ywis = AS gewiss ^'certainly 

wisdome : wisdom AS wisdom m. 

wise sb. manner, fashion AS wise 
f. 

wiseste : wisest 

wisly: truly 

wisse inf. instruct, tell; wysse 2 
pr. subj. AS wissian 

wissely: wisely, certainly 

wisshe 1 pr. s. wish AS wyscan 

wist pp. known; wiste 3 pr. pt. s. 
know, knew how ; wistest 2 pr. s. 
thou knowest; cf. witen 

wit sb. wit, sense, reason, judg- 
ment AS witt 

wite inf. blame; cf. wyte 

witen inf. to know, to wit; wiste, 
woost, woot, woste, wot, wote 
pr. ; wiste pt. s. ; wist pp. AS 
witan 

with: with meschance] misfortune 
upon (her) ! ; with sorwe] sorrow 
on you ! AS wi?S 

withalle: withal, moreover 

withdrawe inf. draw back, refuse, 
withdraw AS witS + dragan 



WITHHOLDE— 



708 



— WORSHIPPE 



withholde, witholde pp. engaged, 

employed by; retained A 511 

AS heoldan 
withinne: within AS witSinnan 
withoute, withouten: without, be- 
sides AS wit5iitan 
withseye, withseyn inf. withsay, 

oppose, renounce AS witSsecgan 
withstonde inf. oppose AS wit5- 

standan 
withynne : within 
witnesse imp. bear witness AS sb. 

witness 
witte sb. wit 

wityng: knowing, knowledge 
wlatsom: loathsome AS wlsetta 

''loathing" 
wo sb. woe, sorrow, grief AS wa 
wo-bigon: woe-begone AS wa + 

bigan 
wod: wood, a plant used in dyeing 

blue Fa 17 AS wad 
wode sb. wood AS wudu m. 
wode a. mad; cf. wood AS wod 
wodebynde; woodbine AS wudu- 

bindse 
wodedowve: wood-pigeon 
wofuller: more woeful 
wol ad. well, full Pf 644 
wold, wolde, wolden pt. s., pi. 

would ; cf. wille 
wolde pp. desired ; cf. wille 
woldest 2 pr. s. wouldst; cf. 

wille 
wole 3 pr. s. will; cf. wille 
wolle sb. wool AS wulle f. 
wolt, wolthow, woltow 2 pr. s. 

wilt ; cf . wille 
womanly ad. in a womanly manner 
wombe: the belly, womb AS wamb 

f. 
womman : woman ; wommen pi. 

women AS wifmann 
wommanhede: womanhood 
wonder sb. marvel, wonder, anxi- 
ety AS wundor 
wonder a. wondrous 
wonder ad. wondrously 
wonderly ad. wonderfully 
wondeth 3 pr. s. wounds ; cf. 

wounde 
wondre ini wonder; wondred, 

wondreden pt. pi. ; wondri&d pp. 

AS wundrian 



wondres pi. wonders 

wondrynge: wondering 

wondyr ad. very (with vague in- 
tensive force) 

wondyrful : wonderful 

wone sb. custom, wont ' AS 
gewuna m. 

wone, wonen inf. dwell, be accus- 
tomed ; woned pt. s. ; wonynde 
p. ; wonyd, woned, wont pp. AS 
wunian 

woneden 3 pt. pi. dwelt; cf. wone 

wonger sb. pillow AS wongere 

wonne, wonnen pp. captured, con- 
quered AS winnan 

wont pp. accustomed ; cf, wone 

wonyd pp. accustomed, wont ; cf. 
wone 

wonyng sb. dwelling 

wonynge p. dwelling; cf. wone 

woo sb. sorrow ; me is woo] I am 
sorry AS wa 

woo a. woeful, sad 

wood, woode a. mad, insane AS 
wod 

woode sb. wood AS wudu m. 

woodecraft: woodcraft 

woodeth pr. s. goes mad; cf. wood 

woodly: madly, insanely 

woodnesse : madness 

wook 3 pt. s. woke ; cf. wake 

woon sb. retreat, resource ; cf. 
won 

woost 2 pr. s. know; cf. witen 

woot pr. s., pi. know; cf. witen 

worcher: deviser < AS wyrcean 

worcheth 3 pr. s. worketh ; cf. 
werch 

word, worde: word, saying, proverb 
AS word n. 

word and ende for ord and ende: 
beginning and end 

worldes, worldis, worldys poss. 
world's AS weoruld f. 

worly for worthly: worthily 

worm : snake, serpent AS wyrm m. 

wormes: worms, corresponding to 
the wormwood in the mediaeval 
pharmacopoeia B 4152 

wors : worse AS wyrs 

worshipe inf. reverence < AS 
weorSscipe m. 

worshippe s. worship, honor, re- 



WORSTE— 



709 



— WYFLEES 



novvn; seyn worshyppe] speak 
praise AS weort5scipu m. 

worste : worst 

worstede sb. worsted < Worth- 
stead, town in Norfolk 

wortes: herbs AS wyrt f. 

worthe inf. go, become ; worth 
upon] got upon AS weorSan 

worthe, worthi a. worth, worthy, 
profitable AS weorS 

worthyeste : worthiest 

worthynesse : worth 

woste 2 pr. s. know, realize ; cf. 
witen 

wot, wote pr. s. know ; cf. witen 

wounde inf. wound ; wondeth pr. 
s. ; wounded, wownded pp. AS 
wundian 

wounde sb. wound ; woundes pi. 
plagues ; the X woundes of 
Egipte] the ten plagues sent 
upon the Egyptians because 
Pharaoh would not set free the 
Children of Israel; cf. Exodus 
vii.-xii. Du 1206 AS wund f. 

wounder: wondrous; cf. wonder 

woundis poss. pi. wounds' 

woweth: wooeth AS wogean 

wowke : week AS weocu f. 

wownded pp. wounded ; cf. wounde 

woxen pp. become, grown AS 
weaxan 

wrak: wreckage AS wraec n. 

wrappe inf. cover, wrap orig. un- 
cert. 

wrastelyng: wrestling-match AS 
wrastlian 

wrastlen inf. wrestle 

wrastling sb. wrestling 

wrathe sb. anger AS wrsetSSo f. 

wrathed pp. made angry 

wraw: full of wrath orig. uncert. 

wrecche, wrechch sb. wretched 
creature ; Y wrechch] imhappy 
creature that I am AS wrecca 
m. 

wrecche a. wretched, woful 

wrecchedly : miserably 

wrecched pp. wretched AS wrecc 

wrecchednesse, wrechednesse: low 
degree, misery 

wreche sb. revenge AS wracu f. 

wreched engendrynge of Man- 
kynde : "De Miseria Conditionis 



Humanae," a Latin prose work 
by Pope Innocent III, translated 
by Chaucer. Fragments are ap- 
parently preserved in Man of 
Law's Tale (Sk.) L 414 
wreke inf. wreak vengence ; wrek 

imp. ; wreke pp. AS wrecan 
wrekere : avenger 
wrete pp. written ; cf. write 
wrethe : wreath AS wrseS 
wreye inf. disclose AS wregan 
wrie inf. disclose, reveal AS 

wregan 
wrien inf. turn aside AS wrigian 
. wrighte sb. mechanic, carpenter; 
wrightes poss. AS wyrhta m. 
write inf. write ; writ 3 pr. s. ; 
wroot, wrote pt. s. ; wrete, write, 
writen, written, writyn pp. AS 
writan 
write, writen pp. written ; cf. 

write 
writhyng sb. turning AS wriSan 
writte sb. writ AS writ n. 
written pp. written; cf. write 
writyn pp. written ; cf. write 
writyng^sb. writing AS writing 
wroght pp. made, created; cf. 

werche 
wroghte 3 pt. s. practiced ; first 
he practiced, then he preached 
A 497 ; cf. werche 
wrong 3 pt. s. wrung; cf. wrynge 
wronge sb. wrong AS wrang 
wronge ad. wrongly Du 950 
wroot 3 pt. s. wrote ; cf. write 
wrooth, wroothe, wrothe a. angry; 
be wroothe] are enemies AS 
wraS 
wrought pp. made, done ; born 

Du 90; cf. werche 
wrye inf. hide AS wreon 
wryen inf. turn aside AS wrigian 
wryng, wrynge inf. wring, wring 
the hands ; wrong pt. s. AS 
wringan 
wyd, wyde a. broad, wide, roomy, 

open AS wid 
wyde ad. widely E 122 AS wide 
wydewhere: far and wide 
wydwe sb. widow AS widuwe 
wyf, wyf e : wife, woman AS wif n. 
wyfhod : wifehood 
wyflees: wifeless 



WYFLY— 



710 



— YDRESSED 



wyfly: wifely, womanly 

wyght: weight AS wiht 

wyghte: wight, person; wyghtys pi. 
AS wiht 

wyke: week AS weocu f. 

wyl sb. will, desire AS willa, will 

wyldernesse : wilderness 

wyldnesse; wilderness 

wyle sb. wile, deceit AS wil f. 

wylugh: willow AS welig 

wymen: women 

wyn: wine; wyn ape] ape's wine; 
wine made men lambs, apes, lions 
or swine, according to their tem- 
peraments H 44 AS win n. 

wynd sb. wind AS wind m. 

wyndas: windlass; cf. Icel vindas 
"wind-pole" 

wynde inf. swathe, wind about, 
turn about; wynt 3 pr. s. AS 
windan 

Wyndisore: Windsor, the king's 
palace Sc 43 marg. 

wyndowe; window; cf. Icel vind- 
auga "wind-eye" 

wynged pp. winged 

wynges; wings; cf. Dan vinge 

wynke: sleep, shut the eyes AS 
wincian 

Wynne inf., pr. s. gain, get ahead 
of, win, conquer ; wanne pt. s. ; 
wonne, wonnen pp. AS winnan 

wynnyng sb. profit 

wynt 3 pr. s. windeth; cf. wynde 

wynter: winter AS winter 

wyped 3 pt. s. wiped AS wipian 

wys a. wise, sensible; to make it 
wys] make it a matter for delib- 
eration AS wis 

wys ad. certainly ? < gewiss 

wyse sb. wise, manner AS wise 

wyse pi. as sb. wise men 

wysse a. wise AS wissian 

wysse 2 pr. subj. guide, lead; cf. 
wisse 

wysshe sb. wish < AS wyscan 

wyte sb. reproach AS wite n. 

wyte inf., imp. blame, reproach 
AS witan 

wythoute ad. without, outside AS 
witSutan 

wytte: wit, wisdom, ability, mind 
AS witt n. 



wytyn inf. know ; cf. witen 

wyve inf. wive, take a wife AS 

wifian 

wyves pi. wives 



Xantippa: Xantippe, wife of Soc- 
rates 



Y: used for pers. pron. I 

ya: yes, yea AS gea 

yaf pt. s. gave; cf. yeven 

yate: gate AS geat n. 

ybe pp. been 

ybeen pp. been 

ybet, ybete pp. beaten, forged; 
hammered into a thin foil A 979 
AS beatan 

yblent pp. blinded, deceived 

ybore, yboren, yborn pp. born, 
borne 

ybounde, ybounden pp. bound 

ybrend, ybrent pp. burned 

ybroght pp. brought 

yburyed pp. buried 

ycalled pp. called 

ycaried : 

ycheyned pp. chained 

yclad pp. clad 

yclenched pp. clinched 

ycleped pp. called 

yclothed pp. clothed 

ycome, yeomen pp. come, de- 
scended 

ycorouned pp. crowned 

ycorve, ycorven pp. cut A 2013 

ycoupled pp. coupled, wedded 

ycoyned : coined 

ycrammed : crammed 

ycrased pp. cracked, broken 

ycristned pp. christened 

ycrowned pp. crowned 

ydel: idle, vain AS idel 

ydelly: vainly, to no profit 

ydelnesse : idleness 

ydiot: idiot OF idiot 

ydolastre: idolater OF idolastre 

ydole: idol OF idole 

ydon, ydoo pp. done, finished 

ydrawe pp. drawn, dragged, stolen 

ydressed pp. arranged 



YDRESSED— 



711 



— YMAGES 



ydressed pp. dressed, arranged 

ydropped pp. sprinkled 

ydryven pp. driven 

ye sb. eye AS cage n. Du 807 

ye pron., pi. used as s. Du 1129 

ye ad. yea; yea or nay] affirmative 
or negative AS gea 

yeddynges sb. pi. minstrel songs, 
ballads AS yeddung 

yee : yea, verily 

year sb. s., pi. year; yeere pi. AS 
gear n. 

yeldehalle sb. guild-hall; cf. Icel 
gildi 

yelden inf. yield AS gieldan 

yeldyng sb. yield 

yelewe: yellow AS geolu 

yelow: yellow 

yelownesse: yellowness 

yelpe inf. boast AS gielpan 

yelwe : yellow 

yeman : yeoman, an attendant from 
the peasant class, above the com- 
mon servant orig. uncert. 

yemanly: in a yeoman-like manner 

yen: eyes; cf. ye 

yer : year ; pi. ; cf. yeer 

yerde: stick, rod, rule; slepy yerde] 
the caduceus of Mercury, the 
winged and serpent-entwined rod 
with which he conducted the 
souls of the departed to the lower 
world AS gierd f. 

yerde : yard, garden AS geard m. 

yere : year ; yeris pi. ; cf . yeer 

yerne ad. eagerly, gladly AS 
georne 

yearn AS gyrnan 
nevertheless, still, even 



yerne m. 
yet: yet, 

AS git 
yeven inf. 

yaf pt. 

giefan 
yevinge: giving 
yfalle pp. fallen 
yfeere: together 
yfet pp. fetched 
yfetered pp. fettered, chained 
yfeyned pp. pretended, evaded 
yflatered: flattered 
yfolowed pp. followed 
yformed pp. formed 
yfostred: fostered, brought up 
yfounde pp. found 



give ; yeve 3 pr. s. ; gaf, 
. ; yeve imp., pp. AS 



ME in fere 



yfounded pp. ; founde : founded, 

established 
yfynde inf. 
yghe: eye; cf. ye 
yglasyd pp. glazed 
yglewed pp. glued 
yglosed pp. flattered 
ygo. ygoon pp. gone, devoted him- 
self 
ygraunted pp. granted 
ygrave, grave pp. cut out, dug out 
ygret pp. greeted 
ygrounde pp. ground, sharpened 
ygrounded pp. grounded, fixed 
yhad pp. had 
yharded pp. hardened 
yhedde pp. hidden 
yheere inf. hear 
yhent pp. collected, taken 
yhid pp. hid 
yholde pp held, esteemed 
yhurt pp. hurt 
yif: if AS gif 
yif imp. give; cf. yive 
yifte: gift; cf. Icel gift 
yis: yes 

yit, yitte: yet AS gyt 
yive inf. give ; yif imp. ; yive pp. 

AS giefan 
ykaught pp. caught; cf. cacche 
ykorven pp. cut 
yknowe inf. know ; pp. 
ykoude pp. knovv^n well 
ylad pp. carried, led 
ylaft pp. left 
yle: isle; bareyne yle] Naxos OF 

isle 
yleyd pp. laid 
ylik a. like, alike 
ylike ad. alike, equally AS gelice 
Ylioun: the citadel of Troy 
ylke: same; cf. ilke 
yloren pp. lost 

ylyche a. of one mind, constant 
ylyche ad. alike, equally AS 

gelice 
ylyk a. like 
ylymed pp. limed, caught (as birds 

are) 
ymaad pp. made, caused 
ymages sb. pi. images to be used 

as charms in treating patients A 

418 OF. 



YMAGINATYF— 712 — YTOOLD 


ymaginatyf: given to illusion or 


Ypres: city in Flanders, famous for 


suspicion OF. 


its cloth 


ymaginyng: considering, plotting 


y-preved pp. proved 


ymagynacioun : imagination, fancy 


ypunysshed pp. punished 


ymaked pp. made 


ypurfiled pp. edged with fur 


ymet pp. met 


yquit pp. acquitted 


ymeynd pp. niingled AS mengan 


yraft pp. seized 


ympes: shoots AS imp^ 


yre: ire, anger OF ire 


ympne: hymn OF hymne 


yreke pp. raked together, as the 


ynche: inch AS ynce 


dying embers in the ashes 


Ynde: India 


yrekened pp. counted 


ynde a. indigo, blue OF inde 


yrent pp. torn 


ynly: inwardly, deeply 


yronne pp. run, run together. 


ynogh, ynough: enough AS genoh 


clustered 


ynowe : enough 


yryn: iron AS iren 


yok: yoke AS geoc n. 


ysayd, ysayede pp. said 


yolle 3 pr. pi. cry aloud; yolleden 


yscalded pp. scalded 


pt. pi. AS gyllan 


yse, ysee inf. see ; ysene pp. 


yond: yonder AS geond 


ysene pp. visible 


yong, yonge: young AS geong 


ysent pp. sent 


yoore, yore: formerly, of old, from 


yserved pp. served, treated 


a long time past; yore ago] long 


yset pp. set, placed, appointed 


ago AS geara 


yseyled pp. sailed 


York, My Lady of: daughter of 


yshapen pp. shaped, formed 


K. Pedro of Spain 


yshave pp. shaved 


youlyng sb. outcry 


yshette pp. shut 


youre, youres : yours 


yshewed pp. shown 


yourselven: yourself 


yshorn pp. shorn 


youth, youthe: youth, period of 


yshryve, ysshryven pp. shriven 


youth AS geogut5, iugo]? f. 


Ysiphile: Hypsipyle, queen of 


yow, yowe : you, to you 


Lemnos, wedded to and deserted 


yowthe: youth 


by Jason 


ypayed pp. paid 


yslawe pp. slain 


Ypermistra : Hypermnestra saved 


yslayn pp. slain 


her husband. Lino, from death 


ysoghte pp. sought 


yplesed pp. pleased 


ysongen pp. sung 


Ypocras: Hippocrates, celebrated 


ysowe pp. sown 


Greek physician of the time of 


ysprad pp. spread 


Socrates; the greatest of ancient 


yspreynd pp. sprinkled 


physicians Du 571 


ystiked pp. thrust, stabbed 


ypocras: a sweet wine, spiced and 


ystonge pp. stung 


put through a strainer (Hippoc- 


ystorve pp. dead 


rates' sleeve, so-called) C 306 


ystrawed pp. strewn 


ypocrisye: hypocrisy OF hypocri- 


ystynt pp. ended 


sie 


yswonke pp. labored 


ypocryte: hypocrite 


yswore pp. sworn F 325 


Ypolita: Hippolyta, queen of the 


ysworn pp. sworn A 1132 


Amazons, wife of Theseus 


Ytaille: Italy 


Ypomedon: Hippomedon, one of 


ytake pp. taken 


the Seven against Thebes 


ytaught pp. taught, trained 


Ypotys : Ypotis is a Middle English 


yteyd pp. tied 


poem, religious rather than ro- 


ythonked pp. thanked , 


mantic 


ythrowe pp. cast out 


yprayed pp. invited 


ytoold pp. told 



I 



YTURNED— 



713 



-ZEPHIRUS 



yturned pp. turned 


ywriten pp. written 


yve : ivy ; herb yve] ground pine 


ywroght pp. wrought 


AS ifig 


ywrye pp. covered 


yvel a. evil AS yfel 


ywympled pp. covered with a 


yvele ad. evil; me list ful yvele] 


wimple 


it does not please me 


ywys: truly 


yvory, yvoyre : ivory OF ivoire 




yvoyded pp. removed 


z 


ywarned pp. warned 




ywedded pp. married 


Zanzis: Zeuxis, Greek painter men- 


ywis: certainly, truly ME gewiss 


tioned by Cicero 


ywoundid pp. wounded 


Zephirus: Zephyrus, the gentle 


ywrien pp. hidden 


west wind 



/ 






■ 



II 



